U.S. administration facing rising global criticism for unwillingness to attach humanitarian conditions to weapons given to Israel for use in Gaza amid a soaring civilian death toll
President Biden has sent Vice President Kamala Harris out before the world to do his dirty work of desperately trying to reign Israel in as the US administration faces rising global criticism for its unwillingness to attach humanitarian conditions to weapons given to Israel for use in Gaza amid a soaring civilian death toll.
Harris has issued a call for a six-week ceasefire at a moment Israel is boycotting ceasefire talks in Cairo. Harris spoke Sunday in front of the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama – scene of state troopers beating civil rights marchers almost 60 years ago. Her comments on the Gaza crisis appear to be the most direct and biting criticisms yet from any Biden admin official aimed at Israel.
She said Israel isn’t doing enough to negate the unfolding “humanitarian catastrophe” amid “inhumane” conditions in the Gaza Strip. Some of her statements, especially the immediate call to implement ceasefire, gained loud cheers from the crowd at the bridge.
“Given the immense scale of suffering in Gaza there must be an immediate ceasefire,” Harris said. “For at least the next six weeks, which is what currently is on the table.” Gaza health officials have said the death toll has surpassed 30,000 at this point, and is mostly civilians. “The conditions are inhumane and our common humanity compels us to act,” she said at one point.
“Hamas claims it wants a ceasefire. Well, there is a deal on the table. And as we have said, Hamas needs to agree to that deal,” she continued of talks in Cairo. “Let’s get a ceasefire. Let’s reunite the hostages with their families. And let’s provide immediate relief to the people of Gaza.”
She even then tied the suffering of Gazans to the cause of the historic civil rights struggle in the United States:
“People in Gaza are starving. The conditions are inhumane and our common humanity compels us to act,” Harris said at an event to commemorate the 59th anniversary of “Bloody Sunday” in Alabama. “Our hearts break for… all the innocent people in Gaza who are suffering from what is clearly a humanitarian catastrophe.”
Revealing deep Biden administration frustrations over Israel’s handling of the war against Hamas, she said: “The Israeli government must do more to significantly increase the flow of aid. No excuses.”
“They must not impose any unnecessary restrictions on the delivery of aid. They must ensure humanitarian personnel, sites, and convoys are not targeted.” The latter reference was to last week’s deadly aid convoy incident which resulted in the deaths of over 100 civilians. Some were shot by Israeli forces as they attempted to access food. The US vice president called called “more food, water and fuel can reach those in need.”
US Vice President Kamala Harris has called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and pressed Israel to increase the flow of aid to ease what she called “inhumane” conditions and a “humanitarian catastrophe” among the Palestinian people. pic.twitter.com/6grT4NIELx
— Middle East Eye (@MiddleEastEye) March 4, 2024
The US joined Jordan over the weekend in providing airdrops for the increasingly hungry population. But critics warned that the aid delivered was but a drop in the bucket of what’s needed for over two million people.
So far at least, Israel looks completely unfazed in its stance in the face of Harris’ words. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant addressed troops at Israel’s southern border on Sunday. “We will not end this war without eliminating Hamas. There will be no such situation,” he said, echoing Netanyahu’s own pledges. “There will be no Hamas as a ruling organization. It will take the time it takes.”
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