Greg Myrie

Then an insurgency erupted and the U.S.

fought for many years and was still fighting in Iraq during Trump's first term.

That should be a cautionary tale for the Middle East.

Yet at the ceasefire signing ceremony last week in Egypt, Trump stood in front of a huge banner that read, Peace in the Middle East.

Vice President Vance traveled to southern Israel, not far from Gaza.

He spoke about prospects for peace at a military-civilian coordination center that will monitor the ceasefire.

It was built in recent days by U.S.

troops.

The next stage of the ceasefire calls for a new government in Gaza, an Israeli troop pullback, and for Hamas to give up its weapons.

At the moment, there's no clear plan for any of these steps.

Greg Myrie, NPR News, Tel Aviv.

Vice President Vance is hoping to keep the truce on track and nudge Israel and Hamas to move toward the more challenging part of the deal, known as Phase 2.

Vance arrived a day after Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and President Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, landed here as part of the same mission.

They've already held talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Israel and Hamas traded extensive fire on Sunday, but Gaza has been mostly calm since then.

The ceasefire now calls for a new government in Gaza, an Israeli troop pullback, and for Hamas to give up its weapons.

At the moment, there's no clear plan for any of these steps.

Greg Myhre, NPR News, Tel Aviv.

For now,

Israel and Hamas both say they're committed to the truce, which took effect on October 10th.