US Vice President J.D. Vance has arrived in Israel to support the first, fragile phase of the Gaza truce and encourage Israel and “Hamas“ to take the tougher steps needed to advance the upcoming talks, Reuters reported, quoted by BTA.
The two sides continue to accuse each other of violations of the ceasefire agreed eight days ago, including over new outbreaks of violence, delays in returning hostage bodies, delivering aid and opening borders.
US President Donald Trump's 20-point ceasefire plan would require tougher steps that have not yet been fully agreed - including disarming “Hamas“ and progress towards the creation of a Palestinian state.
Vance's visit follows talks between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, the husband of Trump's daughter. It comes as a delegation from “Hamas“ meets with mediators in Cairo.
A senior Israeli official said the purpose of Vance's visit was to move to the second phase of the ceasefire. In Cairo, exiled Hamas leader Khalil al-Haya and his negotiators are discussing post-war agreements and stabilizing the existing ceasefire.
A delegation from Egypt, a key mediator in the conflict, also arrived in Israel, but it was not clear whether its visit was related to the visit by the US vice president.