Vice President JD Vance assured on October 21, 2025, that no American forces would deploy to Gaza, amid reports of Hamas violating a ceasefire brokered by President Donald Trump. Speaking in southern Israel, Vance expressed optimism about the deal while warning of consequences for non-compliance. Trump echoed the sentiment, threatening a swift end to Hamas if it persists in breaches.
On October 21, 2025, Vice President JD Vance met with Israeli leaders in southern Israel to discuss a ceasefire and hostage deal with Hamas, brokered by President Donald Trump and effective since October 10. At a press conference, Vance stated he was “optimistic” the agreement would hold, but emphasized U.S. non-involvement in ground operations.
“I think it’s important for Americans to know a couple of things. Number one: there are not going to be American boots on the ground in Gaza,” Vance said. “The President of the United States has made that very clear. All of our military leadership has made that very clear.” He added that the U.S. would provide “useful coordination” as the primary mediator between Gulf Arab states, Egypt, Turkey, and Israel. “The only real mediators are the United States of America. That’s the role that we’re going to play [that] I think the American people should be proud of,” Vance noted.
The ceasefire has faced immediate tests from Hamas. Shortly after Israeli troops withdrew from much of the Gaza Strip, Hamas publicly executed men accused of conspiring with Israel and began fighting rival groups. On October 13, the Hamas-affiliated Arrow Unit executed eight members of Gaza’s Doghmush clan for alleged collaboration, part of a broader campaign against clans like Abu Samra and Hallas accused of opposing the resistance. On Sunday, Hamas militants emerged from a tunnel and fatally shot two Israel Defense Forces soldiers along the Yellow Line boundary.
Professor Kobi Michael, a senior researcher at the Institute for National Security Studies and the Misgav Institute, described Hamas testing the IDF by first sending children to provoke responses, followed by militants, some of whom were killed. He noted Hamas is reconstituting forces, using tunnels, recruiting thousands, and butchering internal rivals, showing no intent to dismantle or accept foreign governance.
Trump warned last week on Truth Social that if Hamas continued violence, “we will have no choice but to go in and kill them,” later clarifying it would not involve U.S. forces but others “very close, very nearby... under our auspices.” On Tuesday, he posted: “an end to Hamas will be FAST, FURIOUS, & BRUTAL!” if violations persist, adding that multiple countries had pledged heavy forces at his request but he told them “NOT YET!” in hope of compliance.
Vance reiterated that “Hamas has to comply with the deal, and if Hamas doesn’t comply... very bad things are going to happen,” but avoided deadlines for flexibility. He said the U.S. and partners would work to return deceased hostages and rebuild Gaza, noting growing impatience among some Arab nations with Hamas.