After a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris underscored the right of Israel to defend itself, asserting how it did so was. She added that there was a serious humanitarian crisis in Gaza, with many innocent lives lost.
"I've said it many times, and let me say it again. Israel has a right to defend herself, and how she chooses to do that is. Hamas is a ruthless terrorist organization. On October 7, Hamas perpetrated this war when it slaughtered 1,200 innocents, among them 44 Americans.
Hamas perpetrated sexual violence of an horrific nature and it took 250 hostages. There are American citizens who remain captive in Gaza," Harris told reporters following her meeting with Netanyahu at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building in the White House. In a meeting with Israeli officials, she expressed her deep concerns over the large-scale human catastrophe that has hit Gaza. "I made clear my serious concern about the dire humanitarian situation there. More than two million people face high levels of food insecurity, while half a million people face catastrophic levels of acute food insecurity. What has happened in Gaza over the past nine months is devastating," she said.
"The images of dead children and desperate, hungry people fleeing for safety, sometimes displaced for the second, third, or fourth time. We cannot look away in the face of these tragedies. We can't allow ourselves to become numb to the suffering, and I will not be silent," Harris said.
She also spoke of negotiations in play involving a ceasefire and an agreement for hostages. According to this proposed settlement, the first stage would be a total ceasefire and for the Israeli forces to withdraw from Gaza's population centers. The second stage would be for the Israeli forces to totally retreat and an end to all fighting.
"Let this be the moment to bring an end to this war, and let this war end in a way that it involves Israel's security, freedom for all hostages, puts an end to the suffering of Gaza Palestinians—all which the Palestinian people can exercise their right to freedom, dignity, and self-determination." There has been hopeful movement in the talks to secure an agreement on this deal," she said.
"I have just now spoken to Prime Minister Netanyahu. I said: 'It's time to get this deal done.' And to everyone who has been calling for a ceasefire and to end this war, I have seen you and I have heard you. We are going to get this deal done so we can get a ceasefire," Harris said.
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