On Thursday, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris pressed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu regarding the humanitarian situation in Gaza. Their discussions, described as “frank,” were closely watched for hints about how American policies toward Israel might shift if Harris were to become president.
Netanyahu’s long-anticipated visit to the White House coincided with significant moments for all three political leaders involved. After the meeting, Harris told reporters, “Israel has the right to defend itself, and how it does so matters.” She conveyed her deep concern about the scale of human suffering in Gaza, stating clearly, “I have made my profound concern for the terrible humanitarian situation there known. I won’t remain silent.”
Harris’s serious and pointed remarks suggested a possible change in President Joe Biden’s approach to Netanyahu. She highlighted that both she and Biden are “working every day” to bring home American hostages and recalled her childhood experiences planting trees for Israel. As a California senator and now as vice president, she affirmed her “unwavering commitment to the existence of the state of Israel and its people.”
The vice president emphasized ongoing efforts to establish a ceasefire and reiterated her support for a two-state solution. Earlier on the same day, Biden had also called for a ceasefire during his first face-to-face talks with Netanyahu since a trip to Israel following the Hamas attacks on October 7.
U.S. families of hostages held in Gaza met with both Biden and Netanyahu at the White House, calling their discussions “productive and honest.” The families expressed urgency about the situation, insisting on the necessity of reaching a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas that could lead to the release of their loved ones. They reported feeling more optimistic about an agreement than they had in months, given the commitments made by both the Biden administration and Netanyahu regarding the need for urgent action.
Biden’s primary objective appears to be pressuring Netanyahu for an agreement with Hamas that would allow for a ceasefire in Gaza, where nearly 39,000 people have reportedly lost their lives in almost ten months of conflict. According to a senior U.S. official, negotiations between Israel and Hamas are in their “final phase,” and Biden seeks to discuss the remaining obstacles with Netanyahu.
In a recent Oval Office address, Biden emphasized that one of his main goals in the six months left of his presidency would be to end the ongoing war, marking a significant achievement for his legacy as he approaches the upcoming elections.
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