Vice President Kamala Harris calls for ‘immediate cease-fire,’ urges Israel to increase aid

Mar 4

Karah Rucker Anchor

By Karah Rucker (Anchor), Ian Kennedy (Video Editor), Brock Koller (Senior Producer), William Jackson (Producer)

Vice President Kamala Harris is set to meet with Benny Gantz, a key figure in Israel’s war cabinet, at the White House today. A White House official stated Harris intends to affirm U.S. support for Israel’s right to self-defense while emphasizing the urgent need to safeguard civilians in Gaza.

What we are seeing every day in Gaza is devastating, and our common humanity compels us to act.

Given the immense scale of suffering in Gaza, there must be an immediate ceasefire for at least the next six weeks. pic.twitter.com/mst8N9HxKa
— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) March 3, 2024

This meeting follows Harris’s comments to commemorate the 59th anniversary of “Bloody Sunday” in Selma, Alabama, where she advocated for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza, calling on Hamas to agree to a halt in hostilities and to release hostages from the October 7th attacks. According to the White House, Israel has agreed to the framework of a 6-week ceasefire deal, waiting for Hamas’ response.

In her Selma speech, Harris also criticized the humanitarian conditions in Gaza, urging the Israeli government to enhance aid distribution, saying, “People in Gaza are starving. The conditions are inhumane, and our common humanity compels us to act…and the Israeli government must do more to significantly increase the flow of aid. No excuses.”

Harris’ call for increased Israeli aid to Gaza came shortly after the U.S. airdropped assistance into the area and days following an incident where over 100 people were killed while approaching an aid convoy. Palestinian authorities accuse Israeli forces of firing on the crowd, while Israel claims the deaths were due to a stampede.

JUST IN: The United States has dropped its first airdrop of humanitarian aid into Gaza as millions are facing starvation.

According to NBC News, three military C-130 planes dropped a total of 66 pallets with 38,000 meals.

Aid organizations however, say the airdrop is… pic.twitter.com/4YZ9i5KhbT
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) March 3, 2024

“Hamas claims it wants a cease-fire,” Harris said. “Well, there is a deal on the table. And as we have said, Hamas needs to agree to that deal. Let’s get a ceasefire. Let’s reunite the hostages with their families. And let’s provide immediate relief to the people of Gaza.”

[KARAH RUCKER]

VICE PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS IS EXPECTED TO MEET WITH A TOP MEMBER OF ISRAEL’S WAR CABINET TODAY AT THE WHITE HOUSE.

ACCORDING TO A WHITE HOUSE OFFICIAL – HARRIS WILL REINFORCE THE U.S.’ STANCE THAT ISRAEL HAS THE RIGHT TO DEFEND ITSELF – BUT ALSO PRESSING MORE NEEDS TO BE DONE TO PROTECT CIVILIANS IN GAZA.

THE MEETING COMES A DAY AFTER THE VICE PRESIDENT SPOKE ON THE ONGOING ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR DURING A SPEECH IN SELMA, ALABAMA –

SHE CALLED FOR AN IMMEDIATE CEASE-FIRE IN GAZA – URGING HAMAS TO ACCEPT A DEAL TO PAUSE THE FIGHTING FOR AT LEAST SIX WEEKS AND RELEASE HOSTAGES TAKEN DURING THE OCTOBER 7TH ATTACKS.

A WHITE HOUSE OFFICIAL SAYING ISRAEL HAS ACCEPTED THE FRAMEWORK OF THE DEAL – AND IT’S NOW UP TO HAMAS TO RESPOND.

IN HER SPEECH, HARRIS ALSO CALLED ON ISRAEL TO DO MORE FOR THE PEOPLE IN GAZA.

[HARRIS]

“People in Gaza are starving. The conditions are inhumane, and our common humanity compels us to act…and the Israeli government must do more to significantly increase the flow of aid. No excuses.”

THE VICE PRESIDENT’S SHARP CRITICISM OF ISRAEL’S HUMANITARIAN EFFORTS CAME HOURS AFTER THE U.S. LAUNCHED AN AIRDROP OF AID INTO GAZA – AND DAYS AFTER MORE THAN 100 PEOPLE WERE KILLED CONVERGING ON AN AID CONVOY.

PALESTINIAN AUTHORITIES SAY ISRAELI FORCES OPENED FIRE ON THE GROUP – WHILE ISRAELI OFFICIALS SAY THEY WERE TRAMPLED IN A STAMPEDE.