Vance Visits Israel as Ceasefire Talks Stall

U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance visited Israel to shore up a fragile Gaza ceasefire and press ahead with a Trump administration–backed 20-point plan that envisions disarming Hamas, rebuilding Gaza under a technocratic civil authority, and deploying an international stabilization force. Talks over that proposed international force have stalled because several potential contributor countries privately refuse to commit troops without clearer mission terms and assurances they will not be asked to fight Hamas or operate in high-risk urban centers. Netanyahu’s office has ruled out Turkish participation and rejected deploying Palestinian Authority security forces trained by Egypt and Jordan until Hamas is disarmed and cedes control. Recent flare-ups — including an attack that killed two Israeli soldiers and subsequent Israeli bombardments that Gaza health officials say killed dozens — have underlined the truce’s fragility and the political and security divisions complicating postwar arrangements. Washington and Jerusalem describe a historic U.S.–Israel partnership but say implementation will require sustained oversight and difficult work to improve Gazans’ lives while preventing Hamas from re‑emerging.