US Vice President JD Vance said Tuesday in Kiryat Gat, southern Israel, that he remains “very optimistic” about the ceasefire process in Gaza, although he acknowledged that there is still “a lot of work” to be done to achieve lasting peace in the region.
In a press conference held alongside U.S. special envoys and advisors, the official emphasized the importance of constant monitoring and civil-military cooperation to maintain the pact reached between Israel and the Hamas terrorist group.
“ Right now, I feel very optimistic. Can I say with 100% certainty that it will work? No, but hard things get done by doing them... and that's what the president of the United States has asked us to do,” Vance said.
“We're a week into President Trump's historic Middle East peace plan, and frankly, things are going better than I expected,” he added.
During the press conference, the Vice President of the United States emphasized that implementation requires flexibility and vigilance.
“This is going to take a very long time, but I think Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner, and Admiral Brad Cooper, behind me, have done an incredible job,” Vance said, referring to those primarily responsible for the US mission.
Witkoff, a special envoy, and Kushner, a key adviser, arrived in Israel earlier this week to support compliance with the agreement.
At the coordination center, civilian and military teams from both countries are collaborating on reconstruction, implementing security measures, and creating a stable environment that will allow for sustainable peace.
“Here, Israelis and Americans are working side by side to try to initiate the Gaza reconstruction plan, implement a lasting peace, and ensure that there are security forces in Gaza, not staffed by Americans, who can maintain the peace over the long term,” Vance clarified.
The vice president acknowledged that the situation on the ground remains volatile, and called for patience amid expectations about the recovery of the Israeli hostages and the pace of progress in the Gaza Strip.
“Some of these hostages are buried under thousands of pounds of rubble. Some of them don't even have a clear whereabouts,” he said. “That's a reason to urge a little patience.”
The truce, in effect since October 10, has been tested by clashes over the weekend and accusations of violations. Despite the challenges, both Israel and Hamas maintain their commitment to the Washington-brokered agreement.
“We're exceeding what we expected at this point,” Steve Witkoff told the media.
Meanwhile, the Hamas terrorist group announced the discovery of the remains of two hostages and their imminent return to Israeli authorities.
US President Donald Trump warned Hamas on Tuesday that there are “several” allied countries prepared to enter Gaza with “considerable force” if they violate the terms of the peace plan.
“Several of our now great allies in the Middle East, and nearby areas, have explicitly and emphatically informed me, with great enthusiasm, that they would be prepared, at my request, to enter Gaza with a substantial force and ‘set Hamas straight’ if it continues to act in the wrong way,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social network.
The role of the US administration in negotiating and overseeing the agreement remains critical. Donald Trump has publicly reiterated his interest in the pact's success, aware that the region faces considerable challenges and fluctuations that require constant monitoring.
JD Vance's stay in Israel will continue until Thursday, with an agenda focused on meetings and technical assessments with the involved parties. The stated objective is to consolidate a real and sustainable peace for communities affected by years of conflict.
