US Vice President Kamala Harris has demanded an “immediate ceasefire” in Gaza, while calling out Israel for not doing enough to ease a "humanitarian catastrophe" in the besieged enclave.
A six-week break in fighting would allow hostages to be released and allow “a significant amount of aid” into the ravaged area, said Harris, speaking in Alabama on Sunday.
Her comments were among the sharpest yet by a senior US government leader, as she in plain terms called for Israel to alleviate the “inhumane” conditions in Gaza, while urging Hamas to accept a deal to release hostages.
“Given the immense scale of suffering in Gaza, there must be an immediate ceasefire for at least the next six weeks, which is what is currently on the table,” Harris said on Sunday.
“This will get the hostages out and get a significant amount of aid in. This would allow us to build something more enduring, to ensure Israel is secure, and to respect the right of the Palestinian people to dignity, freedom, and self-determination.”
"People in Gaza are starving,” she continued. “The conditions are inhumane and our common humanity compels us to act.”
Harris was speaking on Sunday at an event to commemorate the 59th anniversary of ‘Bloody Sunday’ at the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama, where state troopers beat civil rights marchers nearly six decades ago.
"The Israeli government must do more to significantly increase the flow of aid. No excuses," she said.
Harris said Israel must open new border crossings, not impose "unnecessary restrictions" on aid delivery, protect humanitarian personnel and convoys from becoming targets, and work to restore basic services and promote order so that "more food, water and fuel can reach those in need."
The United States carried out its first air drop of aid in Gaza on Saturday and Harris is scheduled to meet with Israeli war cabinet member Benny Gantz at the White House on Monday, when she is expected to deliver a similarly direct message.
Her comments came as Israel boycotted Gaza ceasefire talks in Cairo on Sunday after Hamas rejected its demand for a complete list naming hostages that are still alive, according to an Israeli newspaper.
"Hamas claims its wants a ceasefire. Well, there is a deal on the table. And as we have said, Hamas needs to agree to that deal," Harris said on Sunday. "Let's get a ceasefire. Let's reunite the hostages with their families. And let's provide immediate relief to the people of Gaza."
The current conflict was sparked on October 7, when Hamas-led militants broke through Israel's security barrier around Gaza and stormed into Israeli communities. Around 1,200 people were killed and some 250 taken hostage.Israel has since laid waste to much of Gaza in response. In five months of war, 80 per cent of Gaza's 2.3 million residents have fled their homes.The death toll in Gaza topped 30,000 on Thursday, with more than 70,000 wounded, its Health Ministry said. It says women and children make up around two-thirds of those killed. Israel blames civilian deaths on Hamas, saying militants operate among the population.
