Several top U.S. officials are in Israel to shore up the Gaza ceasefire and attempt to bring about a permanent end to the war. They acknowledge the next phase poses serious challenges.

Israel said it carried out air strikes on Gaza Oct. 19 after its troops were attacked, sending the ceasefire into uncertainty.

Israeli forces struck Hamas positions in Gaza after the terrorist group allegedly violated ceasefire terms with attacks on IDF forces.

TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — U.S. Vice President JD Vance sought Wednesday to ease concerns in Israel that the Trump administration was dictating terms to its closest ally in the Middle East, as he and other top U.S. envoys visit Israel this week to support the Gaza ceasefire agreement.

A US-brokered ceasefire in Gaza appears to have survived its first major test as Israel and Hamas affirmed their commitment to the deal after two Israeli soldiers were killed in the enclave on Sunday,

Vice President JD Vance, who was on the second day of a visit to Israel, said recent trips to the country by top American officials were intended to shore up the fragile Gaza truce.

The recovery of Aryeh Zalmanovich and Master Sergeant Tamir Adar's remains means Hamas has returned 15 out of 28 deceased Israeli hostages.

U.S. military creates Civil-Military Coordination Center near Gaza to oversee ceasefire implementation and facilitate humanitarian assistance from international partners.