Harris Affirms Commitment to Gaza Cease-Fire Amid Escalating Conflict
WASHINGTON—Vice President and Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris stated that Washington will continue to apply pressure on Israel and other actors in the Middle East to achieve a cease-fire deal in Gaza, despite advocates claiming that the United States has not fully utilized its influence over its ally.
During an interview on CBS news show “60 Minutes,” Harris mentioned that diplomatic efforts with Israel are an ongoing endeavor, as indicated by a clip released on Sunday.
When asked if Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was a “close ally,” Harris evaded the question, stating, “I think the more important question is whether we have a significant alliance between the American people and the Israeli people, and the answer to that is yes,”
Harris reiterated Washington’s stance in supporting Israel’s right to self-defense against threats from Iran and Iran-backed terrorist organizations like Palestinian Hamas and Lebanese Hezbollah.
“Our diplomatic work with Israel’s leadership is continually focused on clarifying our principles,” Harris added.
Related Stories
“We will persist in exerting pressure on Israel and other leaders in the region, including Arab nations,” Harris emphasized.
Although Washington has occasionally criticized Israel for civilian casualties in the conflict, advocates argue that the U.S. has not implemented significant pressure on Israel by rejecting calls for an arms embargo, as demanded by anti-war demonstrators nationwide and globally.
President Joe Biden proposed a three-phase cease-fire plan for Gaza on May 31, but a deal between Israel and Hamas remains elusive due to differences regarding the exchange of hostages and prisoners, as well as Israel’s demand to maintain a presence in a corridor along the southern border of the Gaza Strip adjacent to Egypt.
The recent violence in the long-standing Israeli–Palestinian conflict began on Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas launched an attack on Israel, resulting in 1,200 deaths and the capture of around 250 hostages, according to Israeli reports.
Israel’s subsequent military operation in the Hamas-controlled enclave has led to nearly 42,000 Palestinian casualties, as reported by the local health ministry.
Additionally, Israel has been conducting a military campaign in Lebanon, resulting in hundreds of casualties, thousands of injuries, and over a million people displaced. Israel maintains that its actions target Iran-backed Hezbollah militants.
