Vance tried to downplay any idea that his visit — his first as vice president — was urgently arranged to keep the ceasefire in place. He said he feels “confident that we’re going to be in a place where this peace lasts,” but warned that if Hamas doesn’t cooperate, it will be “obliterated.”

Several top U.S. officials are in Israel to shore up the Gaza ceasefire and attempt to bring about a permanent end to the war. They acknowledge the next phase poses serious challenges.

Israeli forces struck Hamas positions in Gaza after the terrorist group allegedly violated ceasefire terms with attacks on IDF forces.

A US-brokered ceasefire in Gaza appears to have survived its first major test as Israel and Hamas affirmed their commitment to the deal after two Israeli soldiers were killed in the enclave on Sunday,

President Trump threatened to "eradicate" Hamas if it continues to violate a ceasefire the US helped broker between the militant group and Israel.

"They’re going to be nice, and if they’re not. we're going to eradicate them if we have to," Trump told the press at the White House.

Through daring exploits and ingenuity, including the stunning targeted pager attacks on Hezbollah operatives, Israel has redefined the Middle East - severely diminishing Hezbollah, smashing Iran’s nuclear program, and contributing to the removal of Syria as a threat.