US Vice President JD Vance said Tuesday the ceasefire in Gaza is still holding despite "skirmishes," after Israel launched air strikes and accused Hamas of attacking its troops.

"The ceasefire is holding. That doesn't mean that there aren't going to be little skirmishes," Vance said in comments broadcast on Fox News and posted on social media by the White House.

"We know that Hamas or somebody else within Gaza attacked an IDF soldier. We expect the Israelis are going to respond -- but I think the president's peace is going to hold."

Gaza's civil defense agency said at least nine people were killed in strikes targeting several parts of the Palestinian territory. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had earlier ordered "powerful strikes" on Gaza.

Vance was one of several top US offi

See Full Page