Defense Minister Israel Katz added that demolishing the tunnels is the most important joint mission in demobilizing Gaza in accordance with Trump's ceasefire plan. More than 60% of Hamas tunnels were left undestroyed during the war,

TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — U.S. Vice President JD Vance sought Wednesday to ease concerns in Israel that the Trump administration was dictating terms to its closest ally in the Middle East, as he and other top U.S. envoys visit Israel this week to support the Gaza ceasefire agreement.

TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — U.S. Vice President JD Vance arrived in Israel on Tuesday to shore up the fragile U.S.-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.

Vice President JD Vance addressed Israeli concerns by saying the United States isn't there to "monitor a toddler," but to monitor amount of work to do.

The vice president was the latest U.S. official to meet with the Israeli PM since a flare-up in violence threatened the truce. Secretary of State Marco Rubio was set to follow Friday.

Vice President Vance told reporters on the tarmac as he prepared to fly home from a several-day trip to Israel, that "for all of the issues and all the problems right now, I think we can say with confidence that Israel is respecting the ceasefire,

Vice President JD Vance visits the Church of the Holy Sepulchre during his trip to Israel, calling it an "amazing blessing" and a "very special moment."

Vice President JD Vance left Israel on Thursday with an optimistic note, saying Rafah, a city in the Gaza strip, could be rebuilt in two to three years.

A reporter asked Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Vice President JD Vance during Vance's visit this week to Jerusalem whether the U.S. pressuring Israel to make a peace deal with Hamas makes it an American "vassal state or protectorate.