Washington has established a Civil-Military Coordination Center in southern Israel to oversee aid, security, and stabilization efforts in Gaza as part of the US-brokered peace deal. The US is taking the first important steps toward preserving the Gaza peace deal.

Vance told reporters Tuesday that his visit had “nothing to do” with Israel’s weekend strikes in Gaza following the deaths of two soldiers.

Israel has confirmed the return of several hostages’ bodies since the ceasefire began, most recently Tal Haimi, killed in the October 2023 attack. Hamas has announced plans to turn over two more sets of remains, while Israel awaits the return of 15 additional hostages’ bodies.

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.

According to tradition, the church is built on the site of Jesus Christ’s crucifixion, burial, and resurrection. It is a premier pilgrimage destination for Christians who visit the Holy Land.

The vice president and second lady and were greeted by US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, Israeli Ambassador to the US Yechiel Leiter and Israel's Minister of Justice Yariv Levin.

The vice president said that while he can't have "100% certainty that it's going to work," he has "great optimism the ceasefire is going to hold."