US Vice President Jay D. Vance said Thursday that both Israel and Hamas are committed to the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, stressing that Washington seeks to consolidate the truce as a prelude to building a lasting peace in the region.
At the conclusion of his visit to Israel, Vance explained that the purpose of the visit was to “understand the situation on the ground and strike a balance between rebuilding the Gaza Strip and preventing Hamas from posing a threat to Israel.” He also indicated that US forces would not participate on the ground in Gaza, and that an international stabilization force would be responsible for the process of disarming the movement.
The US Vice President affirmed that Washington and Tel Aviv had achieved tangible progress in the talks, noting that the administration of President Donald Trump would continue to support consolidating the ceasefire and ensuring Israel’s security.
In another context, Vance commented on an Israeli bill to impose sovereignty over the West Bank, saying, “It was strange and confusing. I was told it was a symbolic vote or a political maneuver, and if that’s true, it’s ridiculous and insulting. President Trump’s policy is clear: the West Bank will not be annexed.”
For his part, Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz said his country is committed to returning all detainees, dismantling Hamas’s weapons, and ensuring a secure future for the region. He praised Vance’s visit, describing him as a “true friend of Israel.”
In contrast, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned that the Knesset’s moves toward annexing the West Bank could threaten President Trump’s plan to end the conflict in Gaza, stressing that Washington “does not support this move at this time.”
These developments come as Benjamin Netanyahu’s government considers annexation in response to the recognition of a Palestinian state by several Western countries last September. Meanwhile, settlement construction has accelerated significantly since 2022, when the most right-wing government in Israel’s history took office.
