Vice President J.D. Vance reaffirmed Tuesday that American troops will not be deployed to Gaza, emphasizing the U.S. commitment to diplomacy over military intervention amid escalating tensions between Israel and Hamas. Speaking during a visit to southern Israel, Vance stated, “There are not going to be American boots on the ground in Gaza. The President of the United States has made that very clear.”
The remarks came as skirmishes in Gaza tested the limits of the ceasefire agreement brokered by President Donald J. Trump earlier this month. Under the deal, Israeli forces began withdrawing from key areas, including Gaza City and Khan Younis, though sporadic clashes have persisted. Vance highlighted the U.S. role as a mediator, working with Egypt, Turkey, Gulf Arab states, and Israel to stabilize the region. “The only real mediators are the United States of America,” he said.
Trump warned Hamas last week that continued violence would provoke harsh retaliation, though he clarified that U.S. ground operations were off the table. “We will have no choice but to go in and kill them,” Trump stated, later specifying that local actors, not American forces, would handle any necessary actions. Meanwhile, internal unrest within Hamas was reported, with accusations of executions targeting suspected collaborators. Vance urged compliance with the ceasefire, warning, “If Hamas doesn’t comply with the deal, very bad things are going to happen.”
Regional tensions also surfaced as Arab nations expressed growing frustration with Hamas, while U.S.-led efforts focused on recovering hostages and initiating Gaza’s reconstruction. The administration’s stance underscores a broader strategy of indirect involvement, avoiding direct military engagement in the conflict.
