Vance: Ceasefire Will Hold Despite Hamas Attacks and Israeli Retaliation

Vice President JD Vance said Tuesday that he believes the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas will endure, even as Hamas continues to violate it and Israel responds militarily. Speaking to reporters on Capitol Hill, Vance expressed confidence in the stability of the peace deal brokered by President Trump.

“The President achieved a historic peace in the Middle East. The ceasefire is holding. That doesn’t mean that there aren’t going to be little skirmishes here and there,” Vance said, acknowledging the tension but maintaining optimism about the agreement’s durability.

He continued, “We know that Hamas or somebody else within Gaza attacked an IDF soldier. We expect the Israelis are going to respond. But I think the President’s peace is going to hold despite it.”

The vice president’s remarks came just hours after Hamas terrorists opened fire on IDF soldiers conducting operations in Rafah, sparking an exchange of fire in what Israel described as another blatant breach of the ceasefire by the terror organization.

In immediate retaliation, the IDF launched artillery fire at Hamas positions, while Israeli Air Force jets carried out low-altitude flyovers above Rafah as a warning and show of strength.

Later in the day, Hamas issued a statement claiming it would not return the body of an Israeli hostage, accusing Israel of “violations” of the ceasefire — a charge Israel flatly rejected.

{Matzav.com}