By Fatimah Yusuf
United States Vice President JD Vance on Wednesday outlined Washington’s plan to disarm Hamas and rebuild Gaza, describing it as a “tough but necessary mission” to secure peace in the region.
Vance, who met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem, said the initiative aims to balance Israel’s security concerns with the urgent need to restore stability and living conditions in the war-ravaged Palestinian enclave.
“We have a very, very tough task ahead of us, to disarm Hamas and rebuild Gaza, to make life better for the people, but also to ensure Hamas is no longer a threat to our friends in Israel,” Vance said.
His visit, part of a three-day diplomatic tour, comes as the US-brokered ceasefire plan gains traction. On Tuesday, Vance inaugurated the Civil-Military Coordination Centre in southwest Israel, where US and allied troops will work alongside Israeli forces to monitor the truce and oversee humanitarian aid to Gaza.
The US sees the initiative as a key step toward a sustainable peace framework after months of devastating conflict.
