Scoop: Vance decided against Israel visit due to new Israeli operation in Gaza

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Source: Axios

11 hours ago


Vice President JD Vance considered traveling to Israel on Tuesday but decided against it due to the expansion of Israel's military operation in Gaza, a senior U.S. official told Axios.

Why it matters: The U.S. official said Vance made the decision because he didn't want his trip to suggest the Trump administration endorsed the Israeli decision to launch a massive operation at a time when the U.S. is pushing for a ceasefire and hostage deal.

Between the lines: This isn't about publicly pressuring Israel. Vance officially cited "logistical" reasons for passing on the visit.

But his decision sheds light on how the U.S. feels about the current Israeli policy in Gaza.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has refused to sign any agreement that would end the war, and has show little flexibility in negotiations despite the urgent efforts of U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff to make a deal and stave off the Israeli operation.

Driving the news: On Friday, the Israel Defense Forces began mobilizing troops for operation "Gideon's Chariots," which calls for Israel to displace all 2 million Palestinians in Gaza to a "humanitarian zone" and flatten most of the enclave.

On Sunday, the IDF announced the ground operation was underway in multiple areas of the Gaza Strip.

Read more: https://www.axios.com/2025/05/19/vance-skip-israel-visit-gaza-operation