US Vice President Kamala Harris has urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to quickly reach a ceasefire agreement with Hamas and ‘permanently end’ the devastating war in Gaza. Harris has made this request to the Israeli Prime Minister amid increasing casualties and deepening humanitarian crisis in the Palestinian territory. Harris and Netanyahu met at the ‘White House’ complex, the official residence and office of the US President.
After the meeting, the Vice President said, ‘Israel has the right to defend itself and what matters is how it does so. What has happened in Gaza in the last nine months is devastating.
Harris, who is being seen as the Democratic Party’s candidate in the US presidential election, said, ‘There are pictures of desperate, hungry people and dead children running for safety after being displaced in many cases for the second, third or fourth time. . We cannot turn a blind eye to these tragedies. I will not remain silent. Harris also stressed the need for a two-state solution.
Earlier on Thursday, Netanyahu met President Joe. Met Biden. A day before the meeting, Netanyahu addressed Congress (US Parliament) at the White House and pledged for ‘complete victory’ against Hamas. During this, thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters demonstrated outside the Parliament. As the war enters its ninth month, pressure is increasing on Netanyahu to end the Israel-Gaza war.
Harris said, ‘I have said this many times, but it bears repeating. Israel has the right to defend itself and what matters is how it does so. Hamas is a cruel terrorist organization. Hamas started this war on October 7 by killing 1,200 innocent people, including 44 Americans.
He said, ‘Hamas has committed horrific acts of sexual violence and taken 250 people hostage. There are American citizens who are held captive in Gaza. The Vice President said that during his meeting with Netanyahu he expressed grave concern about the humanitarian suffering in Gaza, including the deaths of large numbers of innocent civilians.
He said, ‘I have expressed grave concern about the appalling humanitarian situation there. There, more than 20 lakh people are facing food insecurity and five lakh people are facing severe level of food insecurity. What has happened in Gaza in the last nine months is devastating.
Harris said that talks are continuing regarding the ceasefire and the agreement for the release of hostages. He said that the first phase of the agreement will lead to a complete ceasefire, under which Israeli forces will withdraw from the populated centers of Gaza and the second phase will lead to a complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza and this will lead to a permanent end to hostilities.
Barack and Michelle Obama endorse Kamala Harris for presidential candidacy
Former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama have endorsed Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee for president. On Friday morning, a video surfaced mentioning the phone call between the Obama couple and Kamala Harris. Obama endorsed Harris days after President Joe Biden dropped out of the presidential race. This will further strengthen his challenge against Republican rival Donald Trump.
Former President Obama told Harris, ‘Michelle and I are very proud to support you and we will do everything we can to help you win this election and get you to the Oval Office.’
Michelle Obama said, ‘I am proud of you (Kamala Harris). This is going to be historic. Harris expressed gratitude for the support and their friendship. He said, ‘Thank you both. It means a lot to me. We’re going to do something better with it.
President Joe Biden announced on Sunday that he will not contest the upcoming presidential election. Along with this, he had approved the name of Vice President Kamala Harris as the presidential candidate from the Democratic Party.
After Biden dropped out of the presidential race, prominent leaders of the Democratic Party immediately stood in support of Harris. Presidential elections are proposed in America on November 5 this year. Harris was not mentioned in Barack Obama’s initial statement after Biden announced that he would not contest the presidential election. The former President had said, ‘I am confident that an excellent candidate will emerge from our party.’