October 22 – Vice President JD Vance emphasized that the United States was not in Israel to “babysit” the fragile Gaza ceasefire, reaffirming that Israel remains a sovereign partner rather than a dependent state. His remarks came during a joint news conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday in Jerusalem, following renewed tensions that tested the truce established earlier this month.
The meeting marked another high-level engagement between U.S. and Israeli officials since the latest flare-up in violence. Netanyahu, prior to the meeting, asserted that Israel would make its own security decisions, declaring his nation “not a protectorate of the United States.” The exchange reflected a shared determination to maintain the ceasefire while preserving Israel’s autonomy in responding to threats.
Vance underscored optimism that the agreement, brokered by President Trump, would endure. “I’ve never claimed it would be simple, but I remain hopeful that the truce will endure and that together we can shape a more promising future for the Middle East,” he stated., speaking beside Netanyahu. Both leaders expressed mutual respect, emphasizing cooperation rather than control in the next phase of peace efforts.
U.S. Visit Signals Cooperation, Not Control
The vice president’s visit followed recent arrivals of Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and senior advisor Jared Kushner. Secretary of State Marco Rubio was expected to arrive Thursday for follow-up discussions with Netanyahu, as confirmed by Israeli officials. The string of visits signaled Washington’s determination to ensure stability while avoiding any impression of overreach.
Vance clarified that U.S. involvement in monitoring the ceasefire should not be misunderstood as supervision. “It’s not about monitoring in the sense of watching over a child,” he said. “It’s about ensuring that people are doing the necessary work and that our principles are upheld.” His comments aimed to reassure both Israeli and American audiences that the partnership was rooted in mutual respect.
He emphasized, “Our goal is not to create a subordinate state, and that is certainly not Israel. We are not seeking a client relationship; we aim for a true partnership.” The remark drew attention to Washington’s attempt to balance diplomatic engagement with deference to Israeli sovereignty amid delicate regional dynamics.
The ceasefire, which took effect on October 10, had already faced challenges. Sporadic violence between Israeli forces and Hamas in Gaza had raised doubts about its longevity. Israel accused Hamas of attacking its troops in the enclave, while Hamas denied the allegations, accusing Israel of airstrikes that resulted in casualties. Within Gaza, Hamas also clashed with rival factions, further complicating efforts to stabilize the area.
Questions Over International Force and Regional Role
The proposed international security force for Gaza has emerged as one of the most debated elements of the peace process. While Trump has outlined a broader 20-point plan for regional stabilization, details remain vague. In a recent post on Truth platform, the president said several allied nations in the Middle East had expressed willingness to deploy forces into Gaza “with great enthusiasm” but added that he had told them, “Not yet.” He warned that if Hamas violated the ceasefire, the response would be “fast, furious, and brutal.”
Vance acknowledged that creating an international stabilization force was still in its planning stages. He admitted that coordinating troops from different countries would present logistical and political challenges. “How do you actually get those folks to work together in a way that produces long-term peace?” he asked, hinting that Gulf Arab states, Turkey, and Indonesia could be part of the discussion.
However, Netanyahu appeared to oppose certain participants, saying he held “very strong opinions” about Turkish involvement. His remarks reflected Israel’s caution toward any arrangement that might limit its operational freedom in Gaza. Many Israeli officials have voiced concerns that an international force could restrict their ability to respond to future threats in the region.
Meanwhile, the International Court of Justice issued an advisory opinion on Wednesday emphasizing that Israel must facilitate humanitarian aid in Gaza, particularly after restrictions placed on the United Nations’ relief agency last year. The ruling added another layer of complexity to the ongoing negotiations over the truce’s implementation.
Despite these obstacles, both sides projected guarded optimism. Vance emphasized that progress had been made in an exceptionally short period. “We’re really creating a peace plan and infrastructure here where nothing existed even a week ago,” he said. “That’s going to require a lot of work.”