Vice President JD Vance called off a visit to Israel after its expansion of military operations in Gaza.
A senior U.S. official told Axios that Vance made the decision because he did not want his visit to give the impression that the Trump administration endorsed Israel's decision to launch a massive attack while the White House was pushing for a ceasefire and hostage deal.
"This isn't about publicly pressuring Israel," Axios reported. "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 in Gaza and has been recalcitrant in direct negotiations with White House envoy Steve Witkoff. The Israel Defense Forces started massing troops Friday for operation "Gideon's Chariots," which is intended to flatten what's left in Gaza and displace all 2 million Palestinians who remain there to a "humanitarian zone."
Ground operations started there on Sunday, according to the IDF, and discussions about a possible Vance visit took place later that day between U.S. and Israeli officials before the trip was called off.
"While the Secret Service has engaged in contingency planning for the addition of several potential countries, no additional visits were at any point decided upon, and logistical constraints have precluded an extension of his travel beyond Rome," a White House official told reporters traveling with the vice president, who was in Italy for the pope's inaugural mass Sunday.
"He will return to Washington on Monday."
However, a U.S. official with knowledge of the situation told Axios that the issue wasn't entirely logistical.
"Vance was deliberating, concerns were raised that a trip to Israel at this time would be perceived by Israel and countries in the region as validation for Israel's expanded operation," Axios reported, based on the official's account. "At that point, Vance decided not to go."
