On Tuesday, the Vice President issued a strong caution to Hamas during remarks to reporters in southern Israel, delivered at the newly established Civilian Military Cooperation Center (CMCC). This facility is recognized as instrumental in the ongoing historic ceasefire agreement.
Vance emphasized the clarity of the President’s 20-point peace initiative. “The terms of the 20 point plan that the president put out there is very clear. It’s supported not just by Israel, by, but by all of our Gulf Arab friends. It’s that Hamas has to disarm. It’s that Hamas has to actually behave itself and that Hamas, while all the fighters can be given some sort of clemency, they’re not going to be able to kill each other, and they’re not going to be able to kill their fellow Palestinians,” Vance stated.
He expressed optimism about the peace’s longevity, adding, “Right now, where I stand, I feel confident that we’re going to be in a place where this peace lasts, where it’s durable, and if Hamas doesn’t cooperate, then, as the United States has said, Hamas is going to be obliterated.”
This warning from the Vice President followed a similar declaration from President , who asserted that non-compliance with the agreement would lead to a “fast, furious and brutal” end for the organization.
Earlier, on Monday, President Trump had conveyed to Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese that Hamas would face eradication if it failed to uphold its commitments under the deal. The President has reiterated such warnings since the agreement’s implementation last week.
Beyond his message to Hamas, Vance criticized media outlets for their perceived “desire to root for failure,” clarifying that any temporary setbacks or complications should not be misconstrued as the deal’s ultimate demise.
“Every time something bad happens and every time that there’s an act of violence, there’s this inclination to say, ‘Oh, this is the end of the ceasefire. This is the end of the peace plan.’ It’s not the end. It is, in fact, exactly how this is going to have to happen when you have people who hate each other, who have been fighting against each other for a very long time. We are doing very well. We are in a very good place,” Vance remarked, subsequently commending the team engaged in implementing the Gaza accord.
Despite his insistence that Hamas disarm as stipulated by the agreement, Vance, like Trump, refrained from imposing a precise deadline on the group.
The Vice President elaborated, “The president actually put out a Truth [Social] this morning that I thought was very instructive. 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. But I’m not going to do what the President of the United States has thus far refused to do, which is put an explicit deadline on it, because a lot of this stuff is difficult. A lot of this stuff is unpredictable.”
The establishment of the CMCC represents a significant achievement in advancing the landmark agreement. Navy Adm. Brad Cooper, who heads U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), was present at the press briefing.
“Two hundred of America’s sons and daughters, who wear the cloth of the nation, have stepped up and are serving here,” Cooper stated, expressing immense pride in their service.
Jared Kushner also attended the conference, where he discussed plans for the reconstruction of Gaza and the ongoing efforts related to the ceasefire. Kushner highlighted “surprisingly strong coordination between the United Nations and Israel” in facilitating aid to Palestinians within the enclave.
Kushner additionally confirmed that progress was being made toward recovering the remains of all deceased hostages held in the Gaza Strip.
Prior to , several hostages who had been released through the historic Trump administration-brokered deal met with U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Kushner. Among those present were Omri Miran, Gali Berman, Ziv Berman, Yosef Chaim Ohana, Matan Angrest, Bar Kupershtein, Segev Kalfon, Nimrod Cohen, and Eitan Horn.
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum conveyed that the former captives extended their gratitude to Witkoff and Kushner, and voiced “profound gratitude to President Trump for making their freedom a top priority and working tirelessly to ensure their release after more than two years in captivity.”
Speaking at the CMCC, Witkoff described the meeting as an “emotional moment” and felt “blessed to be in that room.”
“I didn’t see any victims in that room. I saw strong people who have come out under very difficult circumstances. Their families are reunited, and they are so grateful,” Witkoff shared.
In his concluding remarks, Vance expressed faith in God’s providence and his conviction that the objective could be realized.
“I know that Christians have many titles for , and one of them is the Prince of Peace. And I’d ask all people of faith, in particular my fellow Christians, to pray that the Prince of Peace can continue to work a miracle in this region of the world. I think that we have made incredible strides over the past week. We’re going to have to make a lot more. But I think with your prayers, with God’s providence and with a very good team behind me, I think we’re gonna get it done,” Vance affirmed.
The Vice President also shared his hope to visit the Church of the Holy Sepulchre during his time in Israel, a site revered by Christians as where Jesus Christ was crucified.