Tel aviv: US Vice President JD Vance declined to provide a specific deadline for the disarmament of the Palestinian group Hamas, citing the unpredictable nature of the situation. During his visit to Israel, Vance emphasized the complexities involved in ensuring compliance with the ceasefire agreement.
According to Anadolu Agency, Vance addressed reporters, stating, "We know that Hamas has to comply with the ceasefire deal." When questioned about the timeframe within which Hamas must disarm before the US or its allies intervene, Vance refrained from setting a deadline. He explained, "I'm not going to do what the president of the United States has thus far refused to do, which is put an explicit deadline on it, because a lot of this stuff is difficult. A lot of this stuff is unpredictable."
Vance highlighted the challenges of the disarmament process, noting that imposing a rigid timeline could be counterproductive. He warned that unfavorable outcomes could arise if Hamas fails to adhere to US President Donald Trump's 20-point ceasefire agreement. Trump's recent post on his social media platform, Truth Social, suggested that Middle Eastern countries are prepared to take action if Hamas continues to violate the ceasefire, though he expressed hope for Hamas's compliance.
In his remarks, Vance also clarified that there will be no deployment of American troops in Gaza. He commended Trkiye's involvement in the peace process and stressed the importance of Israeli consent for any foreign troop presence. The US aims to facilitate cooperation among Gulf states, Israel, Trkiye, and Indonesia to achieve lasting peace.
US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff noted that the ceasefire's implementation is proceeding better than anticipated, while Jared Kushner, Trump's son-in-law, expressed amazement at the progress made within a week. The White House confirmed Vance's visit to the US-backed Civil-Military Coordination Center (CMCC), established to monitor ceasefire implementation.
CENTCOM Commander Brad Cooper reported that 200 US military personnel are stationed at the CMCC, which supports stabilization efforts in Gaza. The center will facilitate humanitarian, logistical, and security assistance, without deploying US troops into Gaza. It will also oversee the ceasefire agreement's implementation and serve as a coordination hub for international partners.
Vance's three-day visit to the region aims to advance the ceasefire agreement, which includes rebuilding Gaza and establishing a new governing mechanism without Hamas. Despite the ceasefire, Israel conducted airstrikes on Gaza, resulting in casualties, following allegations of an attack by Hamas, which the group denied.
Since October 2023, the conflict has led to significant loss of life and injuries, as reported by the Gaza Health Ministry.
Merve Aydogan contributed from Canada.