How American ‘Bibisitters’ Are Working to Sustain the Israel-Hamas Truce

TEL AVIV, Israel—Vice President Vance stated on Wednesday that the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas is holding, but he warned of the complex challenges ahead to fully end the conflict. “Our task is tough: to disarm Hamas and rebuild Gaza,” he said after a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Vance is part of a prominent U.S. delegation in Israel this week, aiming to maintain the ceasefire and tackle more difficult stages ahead. The group includes Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, former presidential advisor Jared Kushner, and Adm. Brad Cooper of U.S. Central Command, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio expected to join later.

Netanyahu, affectionately known as “Bibi,” framed the meeting with Vance as a chance to strengthen U.S.-Israel partnership. While U.S. officials are engaged in extensive discussions with Israeli leaders, they do not plan to meet with Hamas, which the U.S. considers a terrorist group. In a rare occurrence, Witkoff and Kushner did speak with Hamas leaders in Egypt to finalize the ceasefire, which took effect on October 10.

The ceasefire has largely been effective, interrupted only by a brief flare-up that resulted in casualties on both sides. However, challenges loom as the second phase of the truce involves addressing deeper issues.

Currently, Gaza lacks a stable government. The recent conflict has severely weakened Hamas’s leadership, and the ceasefire agreement explicitly states that Hamas cannot participate in future government proceedings. This creates a complex situation as 15 nonpartisan technocrats are expected to manage the region temporarily, although no timeline has been established.

Vance emphasized the importance of addressing immediate humanitarian needs—like food, medicine, and security—before tackling governance. “If we are at a stage where we discuss Gaza’s long-term governance, we’ll be making progress,” he noted.

Alongside these discussions, Vance visited a civilian-military coordination center created with the help of 200 U.S. troops. This center is designed to unify efforts among various nations and aid organizations working in Gaza.

Moreover, the ceasefire demands that Hamas “decommission” its weapons, though the group has yet to confirm its intentions publicly. Vance reiterated the necessity of this step but did not elaborate on how it would be executed. Meanwhile, Israeli troops, who currently control part of Gaza, are expected to withdraw as stability increases.

Though the future remains uncertain, foreign forces are intended to stabilize the region. However, questions abound regarding which countries will contribute troops and their specific roles. Israel insists on having the final say over which troops participate in this effort.

Former President Trump has positioned himself as a key player in these negotiations, advocating for the U.S. to avoid prolonged military engagements. With the current troop presence focused on coordination rather than combat, it remains to be seen whether any administration can truly bring lasting peace to the region, a challenge that has faced leaders since the time of Harry Truman.

Across social media, reactions to the ceasefire range from cautious optimism to skepticism, with many voices questioning its longevity. As people worldwide follow the developments, it’s clear that the road ahead will not be easy, but connections among global leaders might offer pathways to stability.

For further insights, visit NPR’s coverage of international diplomacy and peace efforts.

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