In a significant diplomatic move, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris has urged the Palestinian militant group Hamas to agree to a six-week ceasefire. She has also called upon Israel to intensify its aid efforts in Gaza.
What Happened: Harris, in her address, made a strong plea for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, emphasizing the dire humanitarian situation in the region, reported Reuters on Monday. She underscored the urgent need for a resolution, highlighting the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
“People in Gaza are starving. The conditions are inhumane and our common humanity compels us to act…The Israeli government must do more to significantly increase the flow of aid. No excuses,” Harris urged.
The U.S. has been pushing for a truce to be in place by the start of Ramadan, which is just a week away. An official stated that Israel has agreed to a framework deal. If reached, it would mark the first prolonged truce in the five-month-long war.
However, the recent ceasefire talks in Cairo were inconclusive after Israel boycotted the discussions when Hamas refused to provide a complete list of hostages who are still alive. The U.S. has maintained that a ceasefire deal is close and has been actively advocating for its implementation.
Amid the ongoing conflict, Harris also outlined specific measures the Israeli government could take to allow more aid into Gaza. These include opening new border crossings, refraining from imposing unnecessary restrictions on aid delivery, and ensuring the safety of humanitarian personnel and convoys.
Why It Matters: The latest diplomatic efforts by Harris come in the wake of the devastating humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The region has been grappling with severe food shortages and a breakdown in aid deliveries, leading to fears of a potential famine.
These developments follow a recent announcement by U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin that over 25,000 Palestinian women and children have been killed by Israeli forces since the conflict began in October. This has further intensified calls for a ceasefire and increased aid deliveries to the region.
The situation has also drawn international attention, with Yemen’s Houthi rebels linking their attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea to the Israeli “aggression” in Gaza. They have demanded an end to the Israeli siege of Gaza and the entry of humanitarian aid as a precondition to reconsider their attacks.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, however, has vowed to continue the military offensive in Gaza despite mounting pressure for a ceasefire. This has further escalated the conflict and deepened the humanitarian crisis in the region.
Photo by Sheila Fitzgerald on Shutterstock
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