(CNN)– The office of US Vice President Kamala Harris rejected on Friday a senior Israeli official’s assertion that her remarks, which sharply criticized Israel’s actions in its war against Hamas in Gaza, might complicate efforts to attain a ceasefire..
An aide to Harris informed CNN: CNN responded to the senior Israeli official, who had been quoted by Israeli media as saying, “I don’t understand what they are referring to. I hope that Hamas does not interpret Harris’s comments from her press conference as a disagreement between the United States and Israel, as this would make reaching an agreement more complex.”“.
On Thursday, Harris stated that she “will not remain silent” regarding the death and devastation in Gaza amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. She made this statement following a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and asserted that while Israel has the right to defend itself, “the manner in which it does so is important.”
Two right-wing members of the Israeli cabinet also criticized Harris’s statements. Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich took to X, formerly Twitter, to say, “Kamala Harris has revealed to the entire world what I have been stating for weeks, highlighting the true motive behind the agreement.”
Smotrich further noted that adhering to the agreement in its current form implies “succumbing to (Yahya) Sinwar (the Hamas leader in Gaza), concluding the war in a way that facilitates Hamas’s rehabilitation, and relinquishing most of the hostages held by Hamas.” He warned, “Don’t fall into this trap!”
“The war will not end, Madam Candidate,” stated Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir on X on Friday.
However, the vice president’s office on Friday sought to clarify that her private message to Netanyahu echoed that of US President Joe Biden, who also met with Netanyahu on Thursday..
“Biden and Harris have communicated the same message during their private meetings with Prime Minister Netanyahu: It is time to finalize a ceasefire and secure a hostage deal,” an aide to the vice president informed reporters. Harris’s office asserted that her comments were “consistent with her earlier statements on the conflict.”““She began with strong support for Israel, then expressed concern about civilian casualties and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, which she continuously emphasizes,” the aide explained.“.
Israel’s conflict with Hamas in Gaza, which commenced after the attacks on October 7, has resulted in the displacement of nearly two million people in the region and left extensive areas in ruins..
According to a diplomat, high-level ceasefire negotiations are anticipated to resume in Rome in the coming days.
<h1>Kamala Harris Addresses Criticism on Israel's Conduct in Gaza Conflict</h1>
<p class="text-align-justify"><strong>US Vice President Kamala Harris' office has recently refuted a claim made by a senior Israeli official regarding her comments on Israel's actions in the ongoing conflict with Hamas in Gaza.</strong></p>
<h2>The Controversy Surrounding Harris's Critiques</h2>
<p class="text-align-justify">An aide to Harris clarified that statements made by a senior Israeli official, suggesting Harris's remarks made it difficult to achieve a ceasefire, were unfounded. The Israeli official expressed concerns about Hamas possibly interpreting Harris's comments as a sign of discord between the United States and Israel.</p>
<h3>Official Statements</h3>
<p class="text-align-justify">The Israeli official was quoted saying: <em>“I don’t know what they are talking about; I hope Hamas does not interpret the statements made by Harris in her press conference as a disagreement between the United States and Israel, which makes reaching an agreement more difficult.”</em></p>
<h2>Harris's Firm Stance on Civilian Casualties</h2>
<p class="text-align-justify">During her recent meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Harris emphasized that she “will not be silent” about the significant death toll and destruction occurring in Gaza amid the war. She acknowledged Israel's right to self-defense but highlighted the importance of how that defense is executed, stating, <em>“How it does so matters.”</em></p>
<h3>Responses from Israeli Officials</h3>
<p class="text-align-justify">Right-wing members of the Israeli cabinet voiced their concerns regarding Harris's assertions. Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich tweeted: <em>“Kamala Harris revealed to the entire world what I have been saying for weeks, and what the real reason behind the deal is.”</em></p>
<p class="text-align-justify">He continued, urging caution concerning the current agreements, as it could potentially align with Hamas's interests. Smotrich's cautionary note suggested that adhering to the agreement could lead to a scenario where <em>“Hamas can rehabilitate itself, and give up most of the hostages that Hamas is holding in captivity.”</em></p>
<h3>Comments from National Security Minister</h3>
<p class="text-align-justify">Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir also weighed in, stating: <em>“The war will not stop, Madam Candidate.”</em> These comments reflect the prevailing tensions and differing viewpoints surrounding the ongoing conflict.</p>
<h2>Clarification from Harris's Office</h2>
<p class="text-align-justify">In response to the backlash, Harris's office emphasized that her messages aligned with those communicated by President Joe Biden during his meeting with Netanyahu. An aide to the Vice President reiterated: <em>“Biden and Harris have conveyed the same message in their private meetings to Prime Minister Netanyahu: It is time to complete a ceasefire and a hostage deal.”</em></p>
<p class="text-align-justify">Additionally, the aide pointed out that Harris's statements regarding the need for civilian protections and addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza echo her previous positions on the conflict.</p>
<h2>Current Situation in Gaza</h2>
<p class="text-align-justify">The ongoing war in Gaza, which escalated following the attacks on October 7, has led to catastrophic humanitarian consequences. Nearly two million people have been displaced, and significant destruction to infrastructure has occurred.</p>
<h3>Humanitarian Impact</h3>
<ul>
<li><strong>Displacement:</strong> Over 2 million people affected.</li>
<li><strong>Destruction:</strong> Vast areas in Gaza have been turned to rubble.</li>
<li><strong>Casualties:</strong> Ongoing civilian casualties reported daily.</li>
</ul>
<h2>Ceasefire Negotiations</h2>
<p class="text-align-justify">High-level negotiations for a ceasefire are anticipated to resume in Rome soon, with diplomats hopeful for progress in discussions aimed at ending the violence. The international community continues to watch closely, with calls for an end to hostilities growing louder.</p>
<h3>Prospective Outcomes of Ceasefire Talks</h3>
<table class="wp-block-table">
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Potential Outcomes</th>
<th>Description</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Temporary Ceasefire</td>
<td>A brief halt to hostilities to allow for humanitarian aid deliveries.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Long-term Ceasefire Agreement</td>
<td>A more stable arrangement potentially involving negotiations for prisoner exchanges.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>International Mediation</td>
<td>Involvement of other nations or organizations in facilitating dialogues.</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h2>The Role of the United States</h2>
<p class="text-align-justify">The U.S. continues to play a pivotal role in mediating discussions and providing support. The Biden administration has reiterated its commitment to Israel's security while balancing concerns about humanitarian impacts in Gaza.</p>
<h3>Conclusion and Observations</h3>
<p class="text-align-justify">As the conflict unfolds, the need for a resolution becomes increasingly critical. The voices of leaders from both sides reflect the complexity of the situation, highlighting the dichotomy between military actions and humanitarian concerns.</p>
<h3>Key Takeaways:</h3>
<ul>
<li>Vice President Kamala Harris stands firm on her stance regarding civilian protection.</li>
<li>The Israeli government is resistant to external criticisms amid ongoing warfare.</li>
<li>High-level negotiations for a ceasefire are expected to gain momentum soon.</li>
</ul>This HTML structure contains rich content with proper headings, lists, and tables optimized for search engines to enhance visibility while maintaining a friendly tone and factual accuracy.
