The Vice President of the United States, JD Vance, met this Wednesday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem to discuss the challenges of the ceasefire signed on October 10 between Israel and Hamas.
During a joint press conference, Vance acknowledged that the next stage will require enormous efforts: "We have a very difficult task ahead: disarm Hamas, rebuild Gaza, and improve the lives of its people, but ensuring that Hamas is no longer a threat to Israel," he stated.
El vicepresidente de EE.UU., JD Vance, escucha al primer ministro israelí, Benjamin Netanyahu.
The visit, Vance's first to Israel since his election, seeks to consolidate the peace and reconstruction plan designed by President Donald Trump and supported by the Republican administration.
Netanyahu: "We are creating an unbelievable tomorrow"
Netanyahu and his wife welcomed Vance and his wife with military honors before a working breakfast.
Netanyahu y su esposa recibieron a Vance y su esposa con una banda militar.
In subsequent statements, the Israeli Prime Minister said that the talks focused on the "day after" scenario: "We are creating an unbelievable tomorrow, with a completely new vision of how to have civil government and security in Gaza. It won't be easy, but it is possible," Netanyahu stated.
The Israeli leader emphasized that the process will require "a lot of work and creativity," but assured that coordination with Washington is complete.
Vance stressed that the Gaza agreement could be the key to expanding Israel's alliances in the Middle East, in line with the historic Abraham Accords of 2020. "I believe this Gaza agreement is a critical piece to unlocking the Abraham Accords," he noted.
The Vice President highlighted that the White House's goal is to strengthen economic and diplomatic cooperation between Israel and moderate Arab countries, with the aim of "isolating Iran and its extremist allies in the region."
A delicate truce and major challenges ahead
Vance's trip comes days after the ceasefire was threatened by new clashes in southern Gaza.
The U.S. official had expressed on Tuesday, from the Israeli city of Kiryat Gat, "great optimism" about the end of the military offensive, although he admitted that the disarmament and reconstruction process will take a long time.
El vicepresidente de EE.UU., JD Vance, se reúne con el primer ministro israelí, Benjamin Netanyahu, en Jerusalén.
Washington confirmed that it won't impose strict deadlines for Hamas's disarmament, despite the Israeli government's concern that the terrorist group could use the pause to reorganize.
Vance landed in Israel on Tuesday accompanied by Jared Kushner and by the special envoy for the Middle East, Steve Witkoff. The delegation visited a new Civil and Military Coordination Center located near the border with Gaza.
Despite the uncertainties, Vance stated that Trump's strategy seeks a lasting peace based on strength, regional stability, and shared prosperity.
