Gaza Ceasefire Progress: Vice President Vance Reports Positive Developments

Wed Oct 22 2025 04:24:07 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

During his visit to Israel, US Vice President JD Vance expressed optimism about the ongoing Gaza ceasefire agreement, while warning of severe consequences for non-compliance from Hamas. This comes amid tensions following renewed violence over the weekend.

US Vice President JD Vance announced that the implementation of the Gaza ceasefire agreement is progressing more favorably than expected. He emphasized the need for Hamas's cooperation and warned of potential obliteration if they refuse. The ceasefire is in its early stages after a flare-up of violence threatened stability. Vance is in Israel to facilitate discussions aimed at establishing a lasting resolution to the conflict. In light of the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, US support remains critical, as deliveries of essential supplies continue amidst operational difficulties.

The implementation of a Gaza ceasefire agreement is going better than expected and the truce can hold, US Vice-President JD Vance has said during a visit to Israel.

Vance also warned that if Hamas does not cooperate, it will be obliterated, while refusing to give a deadline for when the Palestinian group must disarm - a part of US proposals yet to be agreed.

US President Donald Trump, who brokered the ceasefire deal earlier this month, said America's great allies in the Middle East would be ready to go into Gaza with a heavy force and 'straighten out Hamas' if Hamas continues to act badly.

Vance's visits come after a flare-up of violence on Sunday that threatened to derail the 12-day-old truce.

Israel said a Hamas attack killed two soldiers, triggering Israeli air strikes which killed dozens of Palestinians.

Vance is expected to push Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to start negotiations on long-term issues for a permanent end to the war with Hamas during his visit.

The vice-president praised Israel for being remarkably helpful in moving towards the deal's main goals, but said that a lot of hard work remained ahead to secure further steps.

The two special US envoys who helped negotiate the ceasefire deal, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, appeared alongside Vance at a news briefing in southern Israel.

Meanwhile, the UN's World Food Programme stressed that sustaining the ceasefire was vital to delivering life-saving humanitarian aid to the territory.

Since the ceasefire took effect, 530 WFP lorries have crossed into Gaza with more than 6,700 tonnes of food, enough to feed almost 500,000 people for two weeks.

However, starvation and humanitarian concerns remain prevalent as access continues to be hindered by the ongoing conflict dynamics.