US vice president’s changing tone could make this week critical for Gaza in Israel-Hamas conflict

Kamala Harris delivered a speech that signaled a shift in tone and potentially a slight change in language, but not much beyond that. However, the upcoming week still holds significance.

The vice president addressed the situation in Gaza as “devastating… a humanitarian catastrophe” and issued a direct message to Israel to increase aid and restore basic services without any excuses.

While echoing President Joe Biden’s calls for more assistance to those in need, Harris’ speech did not introduce any new policies from the American administration.

Although calling for a ceasefire, Harris directed her message towards Hamas rather than Israel, emphasizing the need for Hamas to agree to the proposed deal on the table.

Despite efforts in various cities, the negotiations have failed to find common ground for a six-week ceasefire between the two sides.

Israel’s absence from the recent talks in Cairo was due to Hamas not responding to specific inquiries about hostages and potential releases in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.

Currently, there are around 134 hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, with uncertainty about the number still alive. The release of hostages has been a primary sticking point in the ceasefire negotiations.

Click to subscribe to the Sky News Daily wherever you get your podcasts

Israel currently detains approximately 9,000 Palestinian prisoners, including many held without charge or trial under administrative detention. The demand for the release of these prisoners has been a major obstacle in the ceasefire negotiations.

Despite the words from Harris, the talks still show no clear progress. The coming week will be crucial in determining whether an agreement can be reached amid the existing deadlock.

Biden’s hope for a deal by Sunday seems optimistic, with negotiators aiming for progress by the start of Ramadan. Ceasing hostilities before Ramadan could help ease tensions in Jerusalem during the religious period.

The humanitarian crisis in Gaza and domestic political concerns have likely influenced Harris’s language. Biden’s team was alarmed by voter discontent in Michigan regarding his handling of the crisis, potentially impacting future decisions.

The upcoming week will be crucial as Israeli opposition leader Benny Gantz arrives in Washington for talks, focusing on ceasefire progress and potential leadership succession discussions.

Stay tuned for further updates as the situation unfolds.