Kamala Harris calls for immediate ceasefire in Gaza and increased aid amid Israel’s boycott of talks
US vice president Kamala Harris has emphasized the need for an “immediate ceasefire” in Gaza, urging the Israeli government to increase aid flow without any excuses.
Ms Harris proposed a six-week ceasefire to facilitate the release of Israeli hostages and provide much-needed aid to the war-torn Palestinian territory.
Analysis – Why this week could be critical for Gaza as US vice president shifts tone
She highlighted the dire conditions in Gaza, stating that people are “starving,” and urged Israel to ramp up the delivery of life-saving assistance to address the “inhumane” circumstances and “humanitarian catastrophe.” Her remarks are among the strongest from a senior US official regarding the crisis.
Middle East latest – Houthis vow to sink British ships
The vice president also mentioned a “deal on the table” that Hamas needs to agree to.
“Let’s achieve a ceasefire, reunite hostages with their families, and provide immediate relief to the people of Gaza,” she urged.
While a Hamas delegation is in Egypt for ceasefire talks, Israel is reportedly not participating.
Israeli media reports that this is due to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu not receiving answers from Hamas on crucial questions, including a list of alive hostages in Gaza and the number of Palestinian prisoners Hamas wants released in exchange for each hostage.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Gaza: Doctors set up clinics in streets
Ms Harris is scheduled to meet Israeli politician Benny Gantz, who will also hold discussions in Washington with US secretary of state Antony Blinken, national security adviser Jake Sullivan, as well as Republican and Democratic members of Congress.
Despite being part of Mr Netanyahu’s war cabinet, Mr Gantz is also a centrist political rival, and his planned talks with US officials have reportedly drawn criticism from the Israeli prime minister.
An official from Mr Netanyahu’s Likud party stated that Mr Gantz’s visit was not authorized by the leader.
The PM had a “tough talk” with Mr Gantz about the trip, emphasizing that the country has “just one prime minister,” according to the official.
(L-R) Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu and war cabinet member Benny Gantz. File pic: Reuters
Mr Gantz had informed the PM of his trip to the US and intentions to coordinate messaging, according to an official.
US efforts in the region face challenges from Mr Netanyahu’s hardline cabinet, dominated by ultra-nationalists. Mr Gantz’s more moderate National Unity party sometimes serves as a counterbalance to the PM’s far-right allies.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
US carries out first aid airdrop in Gaza
Read more:
Analysis – A fresh truce could be highly significant
Analysis – Airdrops illustrate just how much of a disaster Gaza is
Exclusive: The company making millions from Gaza misery
Tensions between Mr Netanyahu and US President Joe Biden have hindered efforts to alleviate Palestinian suffering in Gaza and develop a post-war vision for the enclave.
Recently, the US carried out an aid airdrop to Gaza following a tragic incident where Palestinians were killed while trying to access food from trucks last Thursday.
During a speech in Selma, Alabama, Ms Harris expressed concern over the starvation and inhumane conditions in Gaza, urging the Israeli government to increase aid flow significantly with no excuses.
“The Israeli government must take action to improve aid flow. There are no excuses,” she insisted.
Click to subscribe to the Sky News Daily wherever you get your podcasts
A US official stated that the path to a ceasefire is “straightforward with a deal on the table”, with mediators in Egypt working to finalize an agreement before Ramadan begins in a week.
Prior to the talks in Cairo, the official, speaking to Reuters, mentioned that a six-week ceasefire deal was close to completion.
However, after the arrival of the Hamas delegation, a Palestinian official indicated that the deal was not yet finalized. Hamas purportedly sought a permanent ceasefire as part of the agreement.
The conflict began with a Hamas attack on southern Israel in October last year, resulting in 1,200 casualties, mostly civilians, and over 250 hostages taken.
In response, Israel launched strikes and a military ground offensive in Gaza, resulting in over 30,000 deaths, with two-thirds being women and children, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.
About 80% of Gaza’s 2.3 million population have been displaced, and UN agencies warn that hundreds of thousands are facing famine.
Over 100 hostages in Gaza have been released.
