Vice President JD Vance, after meeting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem, said a spate of U.S. visits to Israel aims to safeguard the fragile Gaza cease-fire, not to “monitor a toddler,” stressing Washington seeks a partnership, not a client state. He warned next steps will be hard as violence tests the truce. Trump officials privately fear Netanyahu could abandon the deal; Vance, envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are working to prevent a renewed assault and to expand the Abraham Accords. Unresolved issues include Hamas disarmament and Gaza’s governance. Vance met released hostages and voiced optimism.

Prepared by Lauren Mitchell and reviewed by editorial team.