U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance, during his visit to Israel on Tuesday, said the implementation of the U.S.-brokered ceasefire plan for Gaza was “going better than expected,” while urging “a little bit of patience” amid growing Israeli frustration over the slow return of hostages’ remains.
Speaking at the Civilian Military Coordination Center in Kiryat Gat, southern Israel, where U.S. troops are deployed to monitor the truce, Vance praised Israeli cooperation in carrying out the plan. His trip, which follows visits by two top White House envoys, comes as the fragile ceasefire faces renewed tension following deadly clashes in recent days.
Israel on Tuesday confirmed the identification of the body of Tal Haimi, a hostage abducted during the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack. Under the ceasefire terms, Hamas is to return the remains of 15 deceased hostages; 13 have been handed over so far.
Vance, accompanied by his wife Usha Vance, is expected to remain in the region until Thursday (October 23) and meet Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, families of hostages, and recently freed captives.
Meanwhile, Hamas chief negotiator Khalil al-Hayya, speaking from Cairo, reaffirmed the group’s commitment to the truce, saying the Sharm el-Sheikh summit, hosted by Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi and U.S. President Donald Trump, signified “an international will declaring the war in Gaza is over.”
The ceasefire remains fragile. Israeli strikes in Rafah, Gaza City, and Khan Younis in response to militant attacks have killed at least 45 Palestinians, while two Israeli soldiers were reported dead. The Israeli military is reinforcing “yellow line” boundaries to prevent further violations.
In a separate development, Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani reiterated his nation’s mediation role but condemned Israel’s recent actions.
Gaza health officials have alleged that some of the 150 Palestinian bodies returned under the ceasefire deal show signs of torture, including rope marks, burns, and crushed limbs—claims denied by Israeli authorities, who insist all detainees were treated lawfully.
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