'We are in a very good place': Vance arrives in Israel as US tries to shore up ceasefire

The US vice-president, JD Vance, expressed “great optimism” over the Gaza truce plan, which he described as “durable” and “going better than expected” during a visit to Israel yesterday, two days after Israeli airstrikes killed 26 Palestinians.

- William Christou and Lorenzo Tondo Jerusalem

Vance’s trip, as part of the Trump administration’s efforts to strengthen the ceasefire agreement, comes as Hamas officials joined talks in Cairo meant to bridge outstanding differences with Israel.

“We are doing very well. Better than I expected. We are in a very good place. We’re going to have to keep working on it,” Vance said during a press conference in Kiryat Gat, southern Israel, as part of the American administration’s efforts to strengthen the ceasefire agreement.

When asked how likely it was that the ceasefire will hold, he replied that the past week has given him “great optimism”.

His visit follows that of the US Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner, Donald Trump’s son-in-law. Vance met the two men on his arrival and was scheduled to see the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, last night.

The ceasefire has been shaken by repeated violations since it was put in place on 10 October, with Palestinian militants killing two Israeli soldiers and Israel bombing Gaza on Sunday.

Kushner, a White House envoy, who also joined the press conference, noted the complexity of truce, citing how “both sides are transitioning from two years of very intense warfare to now a peacetime posture”.

Speaking at a civilian-military cooperation centre, Kushner said other countries want to get on board and become part of the deescalation process in Gaza.

“Everyone believes it is possible to create something better in Gaza,” he said. “I do believe a great outcome is possible.”