WASHINGTON (Diya TV) — United States Vice President Kamala Harris has issued a strong call for an “immediate” ceasefire in Gaza while also urging Israel to ramp up the flow of aid to the besieged Palestinian enclave.
In a rare rebuke of Israel, Harris emphasized the urgent need for a halt to the ongoing conflict in Gaza during a speech in Selma, Alabama, marking the 59th anniversary of Bloody Sunday. She described the situation in Gaza as “devastating” and stressed the necessity of acting on our “common humanity.”
Harris called for a ceasefire to last for at least the next six weeks, which she indicated was currently being considered. She asserted that such a ceasefire would facilitate the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas and enable the delivery of much-needed aid to the people of Gaza.
Expressing concern over the dire humanitarian conditions in Gaza, Harris demanded that Israel take immediate steps to increase the flow of aid into the territory. She insisted that the Israeli government should remove any unnecessary restrictions on aid deliveries and open up new border crossings to ensure that assistance reaches those in need without delay.
During her speech, Harris also addressed the recent tragedy in Gaza City, where over 100 Palestinians were killed while attempting to access food aid. She condemned the incident, stating that “too many innocent Palestinians have been killed” and reaffirming the need for urgent action to prevent further loss of life.
Harris’s remarks come amid growing pressure on the Biden administration to intervene in the Israel-Palestine conflict. The vice president’s call for a ceasefire reflects a shift in tone from previous statements by President Joe Biden, who has faced criticism for his perceived support of Israel’s military actions.
In addition to her public comments, the Indian American political leader is set to meet with Benny Gantz, a key member of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s cabinet, to discuss the ongoing conflict. The meeting, scheduled for Monday in Washington, D.C., underscores the urgency of finding a diplomatic solution to the crisis in Gaza.
