Vance tried to downplay any idea that his visit — his first as vice president — was urgently arranged to keep the ceasefire in place. He said he feels “confident that we’re going to be in a place where this peace lasts,” but warned that if Hamas doesn’t cooperate, it will be “obliterated.”

The vice president was the latest U.S. official to meet with the Israeli PM since a flare-up in violence threatened the truce. Secretary of State Marco Rubio was set to follow Friday.

Vice President J.D. Vance arrived in Israel to reinforce the fragile Gaza ceasefire after weekend violence tested the agreement.

U.S. Vice President JD Vance is seeking to ease concerns in Israel that the Trump administration is dictating terms to its closest ally in the Middle East.

Late Tuesday, Israel’s military said the remains of two more Gaza hostages had been returned, where they would be identified.

After meeting with Israel's prime minister, Vance said the United States' role was to support and safeguard the ceasefire, not to "monitor a toddler.”

Trump sends a flurry of top officials and aides to Israel - led by his vice president - to make sure a Gaza ceasefire moves on to challenging second phase.