US Vice President Kamala Harris has made a significant diplomatic move by strongly urging Israel to increase aid deliveries to Gaza and calling for an immediate six-week ceasefire from the Palestinian militant group Hamas. She emphasizes that the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza is a “catastrophe” that is affecting innocent lives.
During a Sunday speech in Selma, Alabama, Harris delivered one of the strongest remarks on the Israel-Palestine conflict made by a prominent American official to date. Following five months of intense Israeli military operations, hundreds of thousands of people in the densely packed enclave are facing starvation. She put pressure on the Israeli government, describing specific steps to expedite the flow of aid into the area.
“Given the immense scale of suffering in Gaza, there must be an immediate ceasefire. There is a deal on the table, and as we have said, Hamas needs to agree to that deal. Let’s get a ceasefire,” Harris stated.
Harris drew attention to the harsh circumstances in Gaza and emphasized the urgent need for action, highlighting the shared humanity that demands assistance.
“The Israeli government must do more to significantly increase the flow of aid,” the speaker said of the Israeli government. No excuses.
A Hamas delegation arrived in Cairo on Sunday for the most recent round of ceasefire negotiations, which is widely regarded as the possible last obstacle to a truce, while diplomatic efforts continue.
Though Israel apparently boycotted the negotiations after Hamas refused its demand for a comprehensive list of hostages who are still alive, doubts about progress remain.With just one week to the start of Ramadan, Washington insists that a ceasefire agreement is close at hand.
If an agreement is reached, it would be the first prolonged ceasefire in the five months of fighting, and hundreds of Palestinian prisoners might be exchanged for the hostages held by Hamas.