In Israel, US Vice President JD Vance Will Discuss The Second Phase Of Gaza's Armistice

US Vice President JD Vance/PHOTO via Instagram @vp

JAKARTA - US Vice President JD Vance arrived in Israel, amid Washington's efforts to stabilize the first phase of the fragile Gaza ceasefire.

Israel-Hamas have now accused each other of repeated violations of the ceasefire since it was officially agreed eight days ago, with a series of violence and accusing each other of the slow return of the hostages' bodies, aid deliveries, and border openings.

However, US President Donald Trump's 20-point ceasefire plans will require much more difficult measures that both sides have not fully complied with, including the dismantling of Hamas weapons and the steps towards the Palestinian state.

As reported by Reuters, Tuesday, October 21, Vance's visit followed Monday's negotiations between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US envoy Steven Witkoff and Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, and was held during Hamas meeting with mediators in Cairo.

A senior Israeli official said Vance' visit was aimed at advancing Gaza's negotiations to the second phase of the ceasefire.

The Hamas negotiations in Cairo, led by the exiled leader of the group, Khalil al-Hayya, are also reviewing the prospects for the next phase of the ceasefire and postwar regulation in Gaza as well as stabilizing the existing ceasefire.

Delegations from Egypt, an important mediator in the conflict, arrived in Israel on Tuesday, according to Israeli and Egyptian sources. It is not yet clear whether their arrival is related to Vance's visit.

Underlining the fragility of the ceasefire, Qatar, another mediator, on Tuesday accused Israel of "sustaining violations". Qatar and Turkey, which have used their role to strengthen their regional position, have become Hamas' key partners.

Trump's plan calls for the formation of a Palestinian technocratic committee supervised by the international council, while Hamas does not take any role in the government.

A Palestinian official close to the negotiations said Hamas was pushing for the formation of such a committee to run Gaza without its representatives, but with the approval of Hamas, the Palestinian Authority, and other factions.

Last week, senior Hamas official Mohammed Nazzal told Reuters the group was expected to maintain a security role in the field in Gaza during an undetermined interim period.

Israel says Hamas should not have any role in Gaza, while Israel and Trump say the group must lay off arms. Nazzal will not commit to dismantling the group's weapons.

Last week, Hamas fought against rival gangs on the streets of Gaza and publicly executed the people he accused of cooperating with Israel. Trump confirmed the killings, but the US military's Middle East command urged Hamas to stop violence "without delay".

Vance is expected to visit the headquarters of joint forces led by the US military on Tuesday to assist Gaza's stabilization efforts.