Vice President Kamala Harris' office has dismissed a suggestion from a senior Israeli official that her recent remarks criticizing Israel's conduct in the conflict with Hamas could complicate efforts to reach a ceasefire deal.
Following a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Harris stated that she would not stay silent about the devastation in Gaza and emphasized the importance of how Israel defends itself.
In response to the Israeli official's concerns that Harris' comments might create a rift between the US and Israel, a Harris aide stated that they were unaware of any such implications and reiterated that both President Joe Biden and Vice President Harris conveyed the same message to Netanyahu in their private meetings: the need to prioritize achieving a ceasefire and resolving the crisis.
The vice president's office clarified that Harris' remarks aligned with her previous statements on the conflict, emphasizing her unwavering support for Israel while also expressing concerns about civilian casualties and the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
Israel's military campaign against Hamas in Gaza, initiated after recent attacks, has resulted in the displacement of nearly all of the strip's 2 million residents and extensive destruction across the region.
