Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Palestinian media: 'Israel' launches two airstrikes on eastern Khan Younis, Gaza.
Al Mayadeen’s correspondent in Gaza: Israeli occupation forces carry out demolitions in eastern Gaza City.
Venezuelan Foreign Ministry: The National Armed Forces will remain on alert and mobilized in the face of this extremely dangerous provocation.
Venezuelan Foreign Ministry: This is not a defense exercise, but rather a military aggression aimed at turning the Caribbean into a space for violence and US hegemony.
Venezuelan Foreign Ministry: The government of Trinidad and Tobago has surrendered the country's sovereignty to act as a military colony serving US interests.
Rapid Support Forces attack El-Fasher, west Sudan.
Al Mayadeen correspondent: One martyr and one wounded in an Israeli drone attack on the town of Hafir, west of Baalbek, eastern Lebanon.
Al Mayadeen correspondent: An Israeli drone fired three missiles in the vicinity of the town of Bodai, west of Baalbek.
Reuters: The Rapid Support Forces announced that they have taken over the headquarters of the Sudanese Armed Forces in al-Fasher.
Al Mayadeen correspondent: An Israeli drone strike targeted the town of Al-Qlailah, Southern Lebanon.

Axios: Vance scraps 'Israel' visit over new operation in Gaza

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Axios
  • 19 May 2025 15:37
  • 2 Shares
3 Min Read

US Vice President JD Vance cancels a planned "Israel" visit amid the renewed Gaza offensive, signaling US discomfort as the Trump administration pushes for a ceasefire and captives deal.

Listen
  • x
  • Vice President JD Vance, right, and his wife Usha attend Pope Leo XIV's formal inauguration of his pontificate in St. Peter's Square, at the Vatican, May 18, 2025 (Alessandra Tarantino/AP)
    US Vice President JD Vance, right, and his wife Usha attend Pope Leo XIV's formal inauguration of his pontificate in St. Peter's Square, at the Vatican, May 18, 2025 (Alessandra Tarantino/AP)

US Vice President JD Vance decided against visiting “Israel” this week due to the Israeli regime’s latest escalation in Gaza, a senior US official told Axios, in a move reflecting quiet discomfort within the Trump administration over the occupation state’s refusal to halt its military campaign.

Vance had considered stopping in “Israel” after attending the Pope’s inauguration in Rome, but ultimately dropped the plan amid concerns that the visit would be interpreted as an endorsement of the occupation’s newly launched ground offensive, dubbed "Gideon's Chariots".

While Vance’s office cited “logistical constraints” as the reason for canceling, a senior official told Axios that the real motive was political, as the Trump administration did not want the visit to be seen as approving “Israel’s” expanded operations in Gaza.

“This isn’t about pressuring ‘Israel’ publicly,” the official told Axios. “But visiting now would have sent the wrong message.”

The decision offers a rare glimpse into internal US deliberations as the administration attempts to broker a ceasefire and captives deal, while also responding to regional and international criticism over the deepening famine, genocide, and assault on the Palestinians trapped in the Gaza Strip.

Background: Displacement plans and escalating ground war

Related News

US troops may miss paycheck by November 15: Bessent

China set to delay rare earths restrictions 1 year: Bessent

On Friday, the Israeli occupation forces began mobilizing troops under the banner of "Gideon’s Chariots", a military plan reportedly aimed at displacing Gaza’s 2 million citizens to a so-called "humanitarian zone" and flattening large parts of the Strip.

By Sunday, the Israeli military had announced ground operations were underway across multiple areas of Gaza, despite ongoing diplomatic efforts by US special envoy Steve Witkoff to prevent the assault.

Israeli Occupation Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has refused to sign any agreement that would end the war or pause the operation, displaying little flexibility in negotiations, according to US officials.

Behind closed doors: planning, retraction, and concern

After the pope’s inauguration, discussions in the US began over a potential stopover in “Israel.” Secret Service agents engaged in contingency planning and Israeli media began reporting Vance’s anticipated arrival on Tuesday, according to Axios. But within hours, the White House issued a statement denying any confirmed extension of Vance’s trip.

"Logistical constraints have precluded an extension of his travel beyond Rome," a White House official to Axios. "He will return to Washington on Monday."

Still, a US official familiar with the decision said that logistics weren’t the real issue. Rather, concerns were raised that Vance’s presence in “Israel” would be seen as implicit support for the ongoing offensive, especially amid global scrutiny over displacement plans and starvation in Gaza.

State of play: Washington ramps up pressure on “Israel”

The Trump administration is now engaged in urgent diplomacy to stop the offensive, facilitate the captives' release, and expand humanitarian aid access, according to Axios.

Under US and European pressure, the Israeli Security Cabinet agreed Sunday to resume the transfer of aid to Gaza via current channels, pending the implementation of a new humanitarian mechanism.

According to Axios, envoy Steve Witkoff submitted an updated ceasefire and captive release proposal last week to both “Israel” and Hamas, and is pushing both sides toward a framework agreement that could halt the bloodshed.

  • United States
  • JD Vance
  • Benjamin Netanyahu
  • Gaza ceasefire
  • Donald Trump
  • Israel

Most Read

From previous scenes of the Qassam Brigades targeting an Israeli D9 bulldozer with a Yassin 105 shell, east of Deir al-Balah. (Military Media of the Qassam Brigades)

US knew fatal Rafah blast cause was not Hamas op., says journalist

  • Politics
  • 20 Oct 2025
'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

  • Technology
  • 24 Oct 2025
Abu Hamza, the spokesperson for the Al-Quds Brigades, during a speech televised on October 22, 2025 (Al-Quds Brigades Military Media)

Al-Quds Brigades' Abu Hamza mourns leaders, vows continued resistance

  • Politics
  • 22 Oct 2025
US missionary kidnapped in Niger capital, suspected taken toward Mali

US missionary kidnapped in Niger capital, suspected taken toward Mali

  • Africa
  • 23 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Sheikh Naim Qassem speaks during an interview with Al-Manar TV, October 26, 2025 (Screenshot)
Politics

Hezbollah ready to face 'Israel' in case of war: Sheikh Naim Qassem

A Russian cargo train arrives at Astara Railway Wharf, March 2018 (IRNA)
Economy

Tehran, Moscow to finalize INSTC rail project next month

Iran's Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf addresses the media after submitting his candidacy for the Islamic Republic's upcoming presidential election in Tehran on June 3, 2024 (AP)
Politics

UNSCR 2231 termination marks major win for Iran’s diplomacy: Qalibaf

ap
Politics

'Israel' killed 40 Palestinian children in West Bank since January: UN

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS