Vice President Kamala Harris on Sunday called for Israel and Hamas to accept the six-week cease-fire agreement proposed by US, Qatari, and Egyptian negotiators to take effect immediately.
The proposal calls for a 40-day pause in fighting in Gaza, during which Israel’s government would release some Palestinian prisoners in exchange for the terrorists freeing hostages — an arrangement like the one that fueled the Mideast war’s temporary truce in November.
“The threat that Hamas poses to the people of Israel must be eliminated, and given the immense scale of suffering in Gaza, there must be an immediate cease-fire for at least the next six weeks,” Harris said at a civil-rights event in Selma, Ala.
“Hamas claims it wants a cease-fire. Well, there is a deal on the table,” the veep said.” And as we have said, Hamas needs to agree to that deal.”
Harris said a temporary truce needs to be enacted as soon as possible to free the 134 remaining Israeli hostages in Gaza and avoid a further humanitarian crisis for Palestinians struggling to receive aid in war-torn Gaza.
But while Biden has said he hopes a cease-fire can begin by Monday, both Israel and Hamas appear have to reportedly stepped away from the negotiation table.
Sources told CNN that Israel did not attend negotiation talks in Cairo on Sunday — as Hamas claimed that it would not OK any hostage exchange until the Jewish state agrees to end the war and withdraw from Gaza.
Hamas’ demands have been criticized as “non-starters” by US and Israeli officials, but leaders of the terrorist group appear steadfast in their demands.
Harris criticized the stall in negotiations as Gaza endures a “humanitarian catastrophe” caused by the war, which has displaced nearly all of the more than 2 million Palestinians living in the strip and threatened food security for more than 25% of the refugees.
“People in Gaza are starving. The conditions are inhumane, and our common humanity compels us to act,” Harris said, calling on the Israeli government to increase the amount of aid flowing into the territory.
“They must work to restore basic services and promote order in Gaza so more food, water and fuel can reach those in need,” she said of the US ally.
Harris also noted that the US will be conducting more aid deliveries through airdrops to Gaza, as well as opening up a new sea route to bring in humanitarian supplies in the future.
The vice president’s remarks came as she is set to meet with Israeli war cabinet member Benny Gantz at the White House on Monday to discuss the war in Gaza.
“The vice president will express her concern over the safety of the as many as 1.5 million people in Rafah,” a White House official told Reuters.
The US has repeatedly warned Israel to avoid a ground assault into Rafah — the final Hamas stronghold in Gaza, according to Israeli officials — unless it comes up with a sound plan to evacuate the refugees, lest the war incur more civilian casualties.
Israel has said it would delay its movement in Rafah as it plans to move civilians to an area north of the city, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stating that the offensive will take place to eliminate Hamas’ remaining battalions.
With Post wires.