Israeli PM Netanyahu Open to Advancing Gaza Ceasefire Amid US Diplomatic Push

Vice President J.D. Vance met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem to discuss stabilizing the fragile Gaza ceasefire and urged Netanyahu to support the deal's implementation, emphasizing the need to "give the deal a chance." Netanyahu expressed willingness to cooperate but outlined red lines, including opposing Turkish presence in Gaza and insisting on Hamas's full disarmament before any full Israeli withdrawal. The Trump administration has deployed multiple high-level envoys, including Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, to the region to bolster the ceasefire and rally Arab support, with visits to Saudi Arabia and the UAE to secure financial, military, and diplomatic backing. Despite challenges such as incomplete hostage returns and ongoing tensions, U.S. officials remain cautiously optimistic about progress, aiming to advance the ceasefire's next phases involving Israeli withdrawal and foreign security deployments. Jordanian and Dutch officials also stressed the importance of fully implementing the ceasefire and ending the war, reflecting broad international engagement. The situation remains delicate, with both sides accused of violations, but the U.S.-Israel partnership seeks to maintain the truce and push forward peace efforts.