JD Vance, in his capacity as Vice President, expressed great optimism about the U.S.-brokered Gaza ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas during a trip to Israel in October 2025. He characterized the progress as being "in a very good place," despite flare-ups of violence that threatened the truce.
Prior to his vice presidency, Vance's views focused on humanitarian concerns, specifically regarding the destination of U.S. aid sent into Gaza. As a Senator in October 2023, he voiced fears that substantial humanitarian assistance would disproportionately benefit Hamas fighters rather than the children of Gaza.
His current stance, aligned with the Trump administration's plan, emphasizes priorities such as ensuring security for both Israel and Gaza, facilitating reconstruction, and ensuring the delivery of humanitarian aid. Vance acknowledged the difficulty of the negotiations but warned Hamas of obliteration if it failed to cooperate with the peace plan.
Timeline
- As Senator, JD Vance expressed strong reservations about the U.S. providing humanitarian aid to Palestinian citizens in Gaza.
- As Vice President, Vance visited Israel to bolster the fragile ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, meeting with leaders like Benjamin Netanyahu.
- Vance stated that the current focus of the Trump administration's efforts includes security for Israel and Gaza, reconstruction, and humanitarian aid delivery.
Actions Taken
- Diplomacy/MediationExpressed optimism and worked to bolster the fragile U.S.-brokered ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas during a visit to Israel.
Key Quotes
I want to say that there is this weird attitude I've sensed in the American media in the Western media where there's almost this desire to root for failure that every time something bad happens that 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.
if you deliver a large amount of humanitarian assistance who's it going to go to the children of Gaza or to the Hamas fighters on the front lines? I fear it's going to go to Hamas.
We are doing very well we are in a very good place we're going to have to keep working on it.
Criticism
Vance accused the American and Western media of exhibiting a 'desire to root for failure' regarding the ceasefire's progress.
Reported that Israeli attacks, following the supposed ceasefire Vance was bolstering, killed at least 451 Palestinians.
Sources5
JD Vance says Gaza ceasefire 'in very good place' during Israel visit
* This is not an exhaustive list of sources.