Harris Presses Netanyahu over Humanitarian Situation in Gaza: ‘I will not be silent’
In a tense meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, US Vice President Kamala Harris conveyed the Biden administration’s deep concern over the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza and pressed the Israeli government to take decisive action to alleviate the crisis.
The bilateral meeting, which took place on Wednesday in Jerusalem, was marked by a sense of urgency and urgency as Harris emphasized that the United States would no longer remain silent in the face of a crisis that has seen thousands of innocent Palestinians displaced, injured, or killed.
"Gaza has been under siege for far too long, and the situation is unsustainable. I will not be silent about it. The United States is committed to upholding the human rights and dignity of the people of Gaza, and we will continue to hold everyone accountable for their actions," Harris was quoted as saying by Israeli newspaper Haaretz.
The Palestinian territory has been reeling since the start of the latest conflict between Palestinian militant groups and Israeli security forces, which has led to widespread devastation and a severe shortage of medical supplies, food, and water.
Harris’s remarks were seen as a sign of a shift in the Biden administration’s policy towards the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which has been criticized for being lukewarm in its support for human rights and international law.
The Vice President’s comments were echoed by US Ambassador to Israel Tom Nides, who tweeted that "the crisis in Gaza is unsustainable and unacceptable." Nides also called for "urgent action" to address the humanitarian emergency and for all parties to work towards a peaceful resolution.
Netanyahu, who had been under pressure to respond to the humanitarian crisis, announced a plan to increase the flow of goods into Gaza and to provide aid to affected areas. However, the move was viewed as insufficient by many human rights groups, which have called for a more comprehensive and sustained international response to the crisis.
The meeting with Harris came at a time when global pressure is mounting on Israel and Hamas to end the violence and negotiate a sustainable peace. The European Union and various human rights organizations have condemned the Israeli response to the conflict, citing excessive force and violations of international law.
While the US has historically been a vocal ally of Israel, Harris’s outspoken remarks reflect a growing sense that the Biden administration is willing to take a stronger stance on human rights and humanitarian issues, including the plight of Palestinians in Gaza.
Harris’s visit to Jerusalem comes after a series of high-level diplomatic initiatives aimed at resolving the conflict, including an Egyptian-led ceasefire effort that broke down earlier this week. International mediators are now working to reboot the talks and find a path forward out of the crisis.
In the meantime, Palestinians in Gaza remain trapped in dire conditions, with thousands of families still displaced and millions of dollars’ worth of damage inflicted on the already frail infrastructure of the territory.
As tensions continue to simmer, the international community is watching closely to see if the Biden administration will follow through on its promises of decisive action to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
https://www.reuters.com/world/us/biden-harris-meet-netanyahu-separately-gaza-ceasefire-2024-07-25/