Ms. Harris meets with Mr. Gantz: Israel’s Right to defend itself in the face of the Gaza Carnage and the War on the Balkans
The remarks came as Ms. Harris was scheduled to meet with Mr. Gantz, a member of the Israeli war cabinet, at the White House on Monday, and as the Biden administration faces immense pressure to limit the carnage in Gaza.
The official said the vice president will reiterate the need to reduce civilian casualties. Harris also plans to express concern for the safety of people in Rafah, and “the importance of creating a hopeful political horizon for the Palestinian people,” the official added.
The former Israeli military chief’s visit threatens to worsen his relations with political rival Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. An Israeli source with knowledge of the matter who was not authorized to speak publicly told NPR that Netanyahu was upset at Gantz for arranging the Washington trip without his knowledge.
In the immediate wake of the Oct. 7 Hamas-led attack on Israel, President Biden was strongly supportive of what he said was Israel’s right to defend itself. But as the civilian death toll in Gaza has climbed, Biden has become public with criticism of Netanyahu’s military response. Last month, Biden said the response had been “over the top” and he has also said Netanyahu’s government risked losing global support over its action in the territory.
The Hamas-led attack killed some 1,200 people and took some 240 people hostage, according to Israeli officials. Israel’s response has killed more than 30,300 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s health ministry.
The U.S. began providing aid to the Gaza Strip on Saturday. Poor coordination with the Israeli military and ongoing fighting have made it difficult to get aid to Gaza.
Ms. Harris called on Israel to let in more aid for the people of Gaza as she decried the humanitarian catastrophe there.
Ms. Harris said that the US supported Israel’s right to defend itself against the threat by Hamas and had no regard for the innocent lives lost in Israel and Gaza.
Vice President Kamala Harris on Sunday called for an “immediate cease-fire” in Gaza, saying that Hamas should agree to the six-week pause currently on the table and that Israel should increase the flow of aid into the besieged enclave amid a humanitarian crisis.
She said there should be an immediate cease-fire given the scale of suffering in Gaza. That line drew loud applause from the crowd that had gathered to mark the civil rights event.
Ms. Harris attended the 59th anniversary of “Bloody Sunday” on Sunday. Her comments on Israel were her most forceful to date on the Middle East conflict, which has killed more than 30,000 Palestinians, according to Gazan health authorities, and put the enclave on the brink of famine.