Kamala Harris pressured Netanyahu about the situation in Gaza

2024-07-26 08:35:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

Kamala Harris pressured Netanyahu about the situation in Gaza

Benjamin Netanyahu and Kamala Harris

US Vice President Kamala Harris pressed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday about the humanitarian situation in Gaza in "candid" talks that were watched for signs of how she might change US policy on Israel if she becomes president.

"Israel has a right to defend itself. And how it does so matters," Vice President Harris told reporters after the meeting. She said she raised her serious concerns about the scale of human suffering in the Gaza Strip.

"I made clear my serious concern about the dire humanitarian situation there," she said. "I will not be silent".

Ms. Harris' comments reflected what could be a shift by President Joe Biden in how she deals with Mr. Netanyahu.

Hours earlier, President Biden pressed for a ceasefire in the nine-month war in Gaza in his first face-to-face talks with Mr. Netanyahu since the president traveled to Israel days after Hamas attacked Israel on October 7 and promised American support.

White House National Security spokesman John Kirby said there are still differences between Israel and Hamas militants in negotiations to reach a ceasefire, but "we are closer now than we have been before".

"Both sides have to make compromises," Mr Kirby said.

State Department spokesman Matt Miller said: "I think the message from the American side at that meeting will be that we have to overcome all obstacles to get this deal done."

The visit coincides with a shift in American politics. On Sunday, the 81-year-old Biden withdrew from the presidential race after pressure from fellow Democrats and endorsed Vice President Harris to receive the party's nomination for president.

"Welcome back, Mr. Prime Minister," President Biden said Thursday. "We have a lot to talk about, maybe we should start right now."

"From a proud Jewish Zionist to a proud Irish-American Zionist, I want to thank you for your 50 years of service to the American public and 50 years of support for the State of Israel," Prime Minister Netanyahu replied. "I stand ready to discuss with you today and work with you in the coming months on the big and important issues."

The White House was surrounded by additional security fences due to protests against Prime Minister Netanyahu's visit on Thursday.

President Biden and Prime Minister Netanyahu earlier met together with the families of American hostages being held by Hamas. Representatives of the families told reporters after the meeting that they hoped for a ceasefire agreement that would lead to the release of the hostages.

"We came today with a sense of urgency," said Jonathan Dekel-Chen. He said they were more optimistic about reaching a deal since the first release of Israeli hostages from a previous ceasefire.

TENSION OF BIDEN-NETANYAHU RELATIONS

Relations between President Biden and Prime Minister Netanyahu have been strained for months over Israel's offensive in the Gaza Strip, which has killed more than 39,000 people, according to Gaza health officials.

The United States is among Israel's main arms suppliers and has shielded the country from critical votes at the UN.

It remains to be seen whether President Biden, who will be in office for another few months, or Vice President Harris, who has nearly equal support with Republican rival Donald Trump in recent polls, can have any influence on Prime Minister Netanyahu. .

On Friday, Mr. Netanyahu travels to Florida to hold a meeting with Mr. Trump.

Vice President Harris has been aligned with President Biden on Israel, but has taken a tougher tone toward the Israeli leader.

The conflict began on October 7 when Hamas militants, designated a terrorist organization by the United States, attacked southern Israel from Gaza, killing 1,200 people. The attack by the Palestinian militants was followed by a broad offensive of the Israeli army in the Gaza Strip.

Hamas militants took 250 hostages on October 7, according to the Israeli government. About 120 hostages are still being held by Hamas, although Israel believes most of them are already dead. /VOA