Harris expressed to the Israeli government Washington's deep concerns about the humanitarian situation in Gaza
The Vice President of the United States, Kamala Harris, conveyed this Monday to the Minister of the Israeli Wartime Government Benny Gantz – rival of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu – her government's “deep concern” about the worrying humanitarian situation in Gaza during a meeting at the White House. According to the presidential office, Harris also called on Israel to take more action to bring more humanitarian aid to the strip and to develop a “credible” humanitarian plan before it attacks Rafah, where nearly 1.5 million people are The majority are already refugees from other areas Israel has bombed.
The meeting, the first in a series between Gantz and senior U.S. government officials during his visit to Washington, comes as pressure mounts to reach a six-week lull in the conflict that has already killed more than 30,000 people According to the Gaza Ministry of Health, the majority of Palestinian deaths were women and children. Harris on Sunday urged that this ceasefire be put into effect “immediately,” given the “inhumane” conditions of deprivation and hunger in the Strip.
The meeting took place despite opposition from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has not yet been welcomed to the US president's residence in Joe Biden's three and a half years in office. The Israeli minister will meet with National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan in the coming days; White House Middle East envoy Brett McGurk and Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
In his daily press conference, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller denied that these contacts could constitute a gesture of criticism of Netanyahu. “We met with Benny Gatz because he is one of the three members of the wartime government … who has a fundamental vote and a significant part in how this war is fought.”
“The Vice President and Minister Gantz addressed the situation in Rafah and the need for a credible and viable humanitarian plan before considering a major military operation, given the risks to civilians,” the White House statement on the meeting said .