Vice President JD Vance is jetting off to Israel on Monday, and it’s not for a sightseeing tour of the Holy Land.
He’s on a mission to push forward the second phase of President Trump’s ambitious 20-point peace plan for Gaza, a deal that’s already seen some hard-won successes but still faces serious roadblock, the New York Post reported. Let’s hope Vance packed some diplomatic steel in his suitcase.
The trip comes on the heels of the first phase’s completion, where Hamas released 20 living hostages and returned the remains of 10 deceased Israeli captives, while Vance, alongside Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, aims to tackle lingering tensions over Hamas’ refusal to disarm.
This peace plan, unveiled by President Trump on September 29, laid out a clear roadmap: return all hostages, disarm Hamas, and transition Gaza’s governance to a committee under international oversight. It’s a bold strategy, unlike the recycled failures of past decades that have left the region in perpetual conflict. And with the Israeli Defense Forces already pulling back from half of Gaza as part of the deal, the stakes couldn’t be higher.
The first phase wrapped up with a bittersweet victory as Hamas handed over the bodies of 28 deceased Israeli hostages, 10 of whom, including 76-year-old Eliyahu Margalit, were confirmed returned as of Saturday. Israel announced Margalit’s remains were back home, a small but significant step after their forces withdrew from large swaths of Gaza. It’s progress, but every name on that list is a reminder of the human toll.
On Monday, 20 living hostages were finally freed by Hamas, a move that brought relief to families and a rare moment of hope to a weary region. Yet, the joy is tempered by what’s still unresolved. This isn’t a Hollywood ending—not by a long shot.
Now enter Vance and Witkoff, stepping into a diplomatic minefield to ensure the next phase doesn’t collapse under the weight of mistrust. Their focus is on building momentum for Trump’s vision, which demands more than just handshakes and photo ops. It’s about results, something this administration has relentlessly prioritized.
But here’s the rub: Hamas isn’t playing ball on a critical demand—disarmament. Despite signing the peace agreement, the group’s politburo member Mohammed Nazzal told Reuters they’re flat-out refusing to lay down arms, a stance that could derail everything. It’s as if they’ve agreed to a ceasefire but insist on keeping the loaded gun on the table.
President Trump isn’t mincing words on this, either. “Well, they’re going to disarm because they said they were going to disarm, and if they don’t disarm, we will disarm them,” he declared at a White House meeting this week. That’s not a suggestion; it’s a line in the sand, and one wonders how long patience will hold.
Adding fuel to the fire, Hamas has reportedly carried out public executions, a grim signal of defiance that undermines any goodwill from the hostage releases. This isn’t just a stumbling block; it’s a potential deal-breaker. If they think they can cherry-pick terms, they’re in for a rude awakening.
Trump has made it crystal clear that if Hamas doesn’t follow through, consequences will follow. He warned CNN, “Israel will return to those streets as soon as I say the word.” That’s a promise of action, not a idle threat, and it’s a reminder that peace isn’t a gift—it’s a contract.
The Israeli Defense Forces’ partial withdrawal from Gaza was a gesture of good faith, but it’s not irreversible. Trump’s plan hinges on mutual compliance, and if Hamas drags its feet, the region could slide back into chaos faster than a progressive policy flops at the ballot box. The administration’s frustration with endless delays and half-measures is palpable.
Vance himself echoed this no-nonsense approach, emphasizing the need for fresh thinking. “So much has failed and the president said we’re not going to do the same stuff we’ve tried for fifty, sixty, seventy years that’s failed,” he told Greta Van Susteren on Newsmax. It’s a swipe at the stale, woke-adjacent diplomacy of yesteryear, and a call to focus on what actually works.
As Vance and Witkoff land in Israel, they’re not just carrying briefcases—they’re carrying the weight of a region’s future. Their discussions will zero in on advancing Trump’s comprehensive plan, ensuring that the hostage returns and troop withdrawals aren’t wasted efforts. Every meeting, every word, matters.
The refusal to disarm by Hamas looms large over these talks, casting a shadow on what could be a historic breakthrough. If this group thinks they can outmaneuver an administration that’s laser-focused on results, they’re misreading the room. Trump’s team isn’t here for symbolic wins; they want lasting change.
Ultimately, this trip is about more than just Gaza—it’s about proving that a different kind of leadership can break through decades of deadlock. While the path ahead is fraught with challenges, there’s a gritty determination to see this through, without bowing to the usual excuses or appeasement tactics. Let’s see if Vance and Witkoff can turn diplomatic grit into a peace that sticks.
