US Vice President Kamala Harris is scheduled for a Monday meeting with Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz at the White House.
This engagement is part of the U.S.’s effort to negotiate a temporary ceasefire and enhance humanitarian assistance to Gaza.
According to a White House official who spoke to Reuters, the discussions will cover a range of issues, including reducing casualties among Palestinian civilians, securing a ceasefire, releasing hostages from Gaza, and boosting aid to the region.
The Vice President plans to highlight concerns regarding the safety of up to 1.5 million residents in Rafah and will reaffirm Israel’s right to self-defense against Hamas’s threats.
Gantz’s office confirmed his appointments with Harris, National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, and bipartisan Congressional members, emphasizing coordination on the messages to be conveyed.
Gantz, a key figure in Israeli politics and a competitor to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu risks straining relations with Netanyahu, who has faced critique from President Joe Biden.
Biden previously voiced concerns over Israel’s tactics in Gaza and urged Netanyahu to reconsider his approach, signaling a tension in US-Israel relations.
The discussions between Harris and Gantz will also touch on post-conflict strategies for Gaza’s recovery under the Palestinian Authority’s governance.
Amidst ongoing hostilities, the U.S. initiated its first humanitarian airdrop into Gaza, responding to the escalating humanitarian crisis there.
The move follows Biden’s announcement and comes after a tragic incident at an aid distribution point in Gaza, which resulted in significant casualties. While health officials in Gaza labeled it a massacre by Israeli forces, Israel contested the casualty figures and circumstances.
The conflict, ignited by an attack from a Palestinian militant group on October 7, has led to substantial loss of life and heightened international calls for a ceasefire.
With the approaching month of Ramadan, President Biden expressed hope for a ceasefire agreement that would facilitate increased humanitarian aid to Gaza.
