US Vice President JD Vance insisted Tuesday that the Middle East ceasefire remains intact, even as Israeli airstrikes pounded Gaza in apparent retaliation for new Hamas violations, raising fears that the fragile truce could soon collapse. Speaking to reporters in Washington, Vance praised what he described as “a historic peace” achieved under President Trump, saying the ceasefire was “holding,” despite the renewed violence. His remarks came only hours after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu authorized strikes on the Sabra neighborhood in southern Gaza, killing at least two people and injuring four, according to Gaza’s civil defense authorities.
The latest escalation followed accusations from Israel that Hamas had breached the US-brokered agreement by firing on Israeli troops and failing to comply with the deal’s terms regarding the return of hostages’ bodies. Netanyahu condemned the group’s actions, calling its partial handover of remains “a clear violation” of the accord. Israel’s Defense Minister, Israel Katz, also vowed that Hamas would “pay a heavy price” for the attacks and warned that any further violations would be met with decisive force.
Despite the renewed strikes, Vance maintained a composed tone, acknowledging the presence of “little skirmishes here and there” but downplaying their significance. His statement marked the Trump administration’s first public response to the crisis since the latest round of violence erupted. Observers, however, noted the growing gap between Washington’s optimistic rhetoric and the situation on the ground, where the ceasefire appeared increasingly tenuous.
The ceasefire, in place since October 10 and mediated by the United States, has been repeatedly tested. Earlier incidents included an October 19 Hamas ambush that killed two Israeli soldiers, prompting retaliatory strikes that left more than 40 Palestinians dead. Over the weekend, Israel also carried out air raids on what it said were Islamic Jihad operatives planning further attacks.
At least 13 bodies of Israeli hostages remain unreturned in Gaza. Hamas claimed Tuesday to have recovered another, but later delayed its transfer, citing Israel’s fresh airstrikes as justification. The move threatens to unravel the already delicate truce that Washington continues to champion. While both sides insist they remain committed to avoiding full-scale war, each new exchange of fire underscores how unstable the “holding” ceasefire truly is.
