 "Vance optimistic about Gaza ceasefire, warns Hamas to 'cooperate'")
US Vice President JD Vance has said that the Gaza ceasefire “is going better than expected” and that it is going to hold despite Israeli attacks in the region on Sunday.
Vance’s comments came during his visit to Israel, where he warned that “if Hamas does not co-operate, it will be obliterated.” The VP’s visit is part of the Trump administration’s effort to salvage the Gaza ceasefire deal, which was threatened after Israel launched airstrikes in Gaza in response to the killing of its soldiers.
Vance is likely to press Netanyahu to begin talks on long-term issues aimed at a permanent end to the war with Hamas during his visit. He praised Israel for being “remarkably helpful” in fulfilling the deal’s main goals.
Vance in Israel
US envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff and senior advisor Jared Kushner met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday to discuss the ceasefire as Israel and Hamas trade barbs over violating it.
Meanwhile, Vance tried to downplay any idea that his visit, his first as vice president, was urgently arranged to keep the ceasefire in place.
Trump is reported to have sent his deputy and envoys to Israel to maintain momentum and advance the initiation of talks on the second crucial phase of his 20-point Gaza peace plan.
This phase would include establishing an interim government in the Palestinian territory, deploying an international stabilisation force, withdrawing Israeli troops, and disarming Hamas.
Hamas returns 2 more hostage bodies
Late Tuesday, Israel’s military said the remains of two more Gaza hostages had been returned to Israel, where they would be identified.
Since the ceasefire began on October 10, the remains of 15 hostages have been returned to Israel. Another 13 still need to be recovered in Gaza and handed over.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsOn his visit to Israel on Tuesday, Vance urged a “little bit of patience” amid Israeli frustration with Hamas’ pace of returning the hostages.
“Some of these hostages are buried under thousands of pounds of rubble. Some of the hostages, nobody even knows where they are,” Vance said.
With inputs from agencies
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