US VP Vance warns Hamas: Disarm or face obliteration, Israel to decide on foreign troops
Jerusalem (The Uttam Hindu): US Vice President JD Vance has warned Hamas that it will be eliminated if it refuses to give up its weapons. He also said that Israel will decide which foreign troops, if any, can be deployed in Gaza.
It should be noted that according to US President Trump's plan, a ceasefire has already been reached between Israel and Hamas in the first phase, along with the release of hostages and prisoners. Under the Gaza peace plan, Hamas will have to surrender its weapons and leave Gaza. A statement from the US Vice President has been released regarding this.
Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday in Kiryat Gat, just north of Gaza, Vice President Vance said the Hamas group could be spared if it cooperated. "If it doesn't cooperate, Hamas will be wiped out," he said.
Vance stressed that the White House would not pressure Israel over the presence of foreign troops, calling it "a matter for Israelis to agree to." He added that Turkey could play an important role in this.
The first phase of Trump's peace plan has been completed; work is now underway on the possibility of a second phase. Meanwhile, a US official said of the challenges ahead, "Can I say with 100 percent certainty that it will work? No, but difficulties are solved by trying."
He also expressed frustration at the slow pace of recovery of hostages and bodies. Appealing for "a little patience," he said, "some of these hostages are buried under thousands of pounds of rubble. For some of the hostages, no one even knows their whereabouts."
The ceasefire agreement has faced challenges due to mutual accusations of violations, but both Israel and Hamas have publicly reaffirmed their commitment, reports Xinhua news agency.
The US Vice President arrived in Israel on Tuesday. He is expected to meet with Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff and President Donald Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, were already in Israel prior to Vance's visit.