If it was a political stunt, it was a very stupid political stunt,” Vance said of the vote on West Bank annexation.

A reporter asked Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Vice President JD Vance during Vance's visit this week to Jerusalem whether the U.S. pressuring Israel to make a peace deal with Hamas makes it an American "vassal state or protectorate.

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.

Vice President JD Vance left Israel on Thursday with an optimistic note, saying Rafah, a city in the Gaza strip, could be rebuilt in two to three years.

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

U.S. Vice President JD Vance and his wife Usha attended a private Mass celebrated by Franciscan monks at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem Thursday.

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.

Vice President JD Vance visits Jerusalem's Church of the Holy Sepulchre during his trip to Israel, calling it an "amazing blessing" and a "very special moment."