US Vice President JD Vance on Israel visit to shore up fragile Gaza ceasefire

US Vice President JD Vance arrived in Israel on Tuesday to shore up the fragile US-brokered ceasefire in Gaza that has teetered over the past few days following a burst of deadly violence and questions over how to move forward with the plan for cementing a long-term peace.

Also on Tuesday, Israel said it has identified the body of a hostage that was released by Palestinian militants overnight, while the chief Hamas negotiator said the group remains determined to implement the ceasefire agreement to end the two-year war.

Vance, whose visit comes after the arrival of two top White House envoys, is expected to be in the region till Thursday. Accompanied by his wife Usha Vance, the vice president will meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

He was to hold a news conference on Tuesday evening in Jerusalem and was also expected to meet with families of hostages whose bodies are still being held in Gaza and the living hostages released by the militants last week. Under the terms of the ceasefire, Israel is still waiting for Hamas to turn over the remains of 15 deceased hostages. Thirteen bodies have been released since the ceasefire began.

13
No. of bodies Hamas has released since ceasefire

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