U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris delivers remarks on the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, during a press conference held on the sidelines of the United Nations Climate Change Conference COP28 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, December 2, 2023. REUTERS/Amr Alfiky/File Photo
U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris is scheduled to hold discussions with Israeli war cabinet member Benny Gantz at the White House on Monday, as the United States endeavors to broker a temporary ceasefire and enhance the humanitarian aid flow to the Gaza Strip. The anticipated agenda of the talks, initially reported by Reuters, encompasses topics such as mitigating Palestinian civilian casualties, securing a temporary cessation of hostilities, the release of hostages detained in Gaza, and augmenting assistance to the region, as conveyed by a White House official.
The White House official emphasized that Vice President Harris intends to express her apprehension regarding the safety of the approximately 1.5 million individuals in Rafah, underscoring Israel’s right to defend itself against ongoing threats from the Hamas terrorist organization.
A statement from Benny Gantz confirmed his forthcoming meeting with Vice President Harris, along with U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan and bipartisan members of the U.S. Congress. Gantz, Israel’s former military chief and defense minister, is a principal political rival to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and his visit to Washington may potentially strain relations with the Israeli Prime Minister, who has faced criticism from U.S. President Joe Biden. Biden previously voiced concerns about Israel’s indiscriminate bombing of Gaza in December, indicating a divergence in the bilateral relationship.
In addition to discussing immediate measures during the conflict, Vice President Harris and Minister Gantz will deliberate on post-conflict planning aimed at revitalizing Gaza under the auspices of the Palestinian Authority, according to the White House official.
The U.S. military executed its inaugural humanitarian aid airdrop into Gaza on Saturday, following President Biden’s announcement on Friday. This decision came in response to renewed attention on the humanitarian crisis after the deaths of Palestinians in a queue for aid. Gaza health authorities attributed 118 fatalities to Israeli fire, labeling it a massacre, while Israel contested these figures, asserting that most victims were trampled or run over.
The offensive by Israel, initiated in response to an October 7th attack by the Palestinian militant group, resulted in casualties on both sides, with 1,200 individuals reportedly killed in Israel and 253 abducted, according to Israeli accounts.
International pressure for a ceasefire has intensified, with over 30,000 Palestinians reported killed in Israel’s Gaza offensive by Gaza health authorities, and the United Nations cautioning that a quarter of the population is perilously close to famine.
Anticipated talks for a Gaza truce are slated to resume in Cairo on Sunday, as communicated by two Egyptian security sources, although an Israeli news outlet suggested that Israel would withhold its delegation until it obtains a comprehensive list of Israeli hostages who remain alive. The Egyptian sources affirmed the expected arrival of Israeli and Hamas delegations in Cairo on Sunday.
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