U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and accused Israel of not doing enough to allow aid into the area.
“The people of Gaza are starving. These conditions are inhumane and our shared humanity compels us to act,” she said at an event in Alabama to commemorate Bloody Sunday.
“The Israeli government must do more to significantly increase aid flows. There are no excuses,” she added.
She said Israel must open new crossings, not impose “unnecessary restrictions” on aid deliveries, protect humanitarian personnel and convoys from being targeted, and work to restore basic services and promote order so that “more food, water and Fuel can be delivered to the affected people.” need. “
“Given the tremendous suffering in Gaza, an immediate ceasefire is necessary for at least the next six weeks, and that is what is being discussed,” Harris said.
Ms Harris also urged Hamas to accept a deal to release the hostages in exchange for a six-week ceasefire currently being negotiated in Cairo, Egypt.
“Hamas claims it wants a ceasefire. Well, there is a deal on the table. As we say, Hamas needs to agree to this deal,” she said.
Negotiations are underway for a ceasefire ahead of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan starting next week.
However, Israel boycotted Sunday’s talks after Hamas refused to provide a full list of surviving hostages, Israeli media reported.
The Israeli government is also awaiting answers on how many Palestinian prisoners Hamas is seeking in exchange. Associated Press the report said.
Ms Harris is due to meet Benny Gantz, a member of Israel’s war cabinet, at the White House on Monday and is expected to deliver a similar direct message.
However, an official from Benjamin Netanyahu’s far-right Likud party said Gantz’s trip was planned without authorization from Israel’s leader.
Benny Gantz is a centrist political rival who joined Netanyahu’s war cabinet after the October 7 Hamas attack.
A Likud official told The Associated Press that Netanyahu had a “difficult conversation” with Gantz and told him the country had “only one prime minister.”
The meeting comes as friction intensifies between the United States and Netanyahu over how to alleviate the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza and what a post-war plan for the enclave should look like.
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