"I will not be silent": Harris urges Netanyahu to ease Gaza crisis, calls for ceasefire

US Vice President Kamala Harris has called on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to facilitate a Gaza ceasefire to alleviate the suffering of Palestinian civilians.

Harris, who has adopted a firmer stance than President Joe Biden, emphasized the urgency of ending the conflict during a televised statement following her talks with Netanyahu.

“It is time for this war to end,” Harris declared. Her remarks come at a critical juncture, just days after Biden announced he would not seek reelection, positioning Harris as the likely Democratic nominee for the 2024 presidential race. “We cannot allow ourselves to be numb to the suffering, and I will not be silent,” she asserted, highlighting the humanitarian crisis in Gaza after nine months of relentless conflict.

The conflict, which erupted on October 7 when Hamas militants attacked southern Israel, has resulted in over 39,000 deaths in Gaza due to Israel’s retaliatory strikes. The coastal enclave has been ravaged, with widespread displacement, famine, and severe shortages of emergency aid.

While President Biden has also urged Netanyahu to take steps toward a ceasefire, Harris’ pointed comments suggest a potential shift in tone if she assumes the presidency. Analysts, however, do not predict a major change in U.S. policy towards Israel, a steadfast ally in the Middle East.

“There has been hopeful movement in the talks to secure an agreement on this deal, and as I just told Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, it is time to get this deal done,” Harris stated, referring to ongoing negotiations for a six-week ceasefire in exchange for the release of hostages held by Hamas.

The Gaza conflict has divided the Democratic Party and sparked protests at Biden events, with potential ramifications for the upcoming election. Harris, addressing these concerns, urged Americans to appreciate the complexity and history of the region. “To everyone who has been calling for a ceasefire and to everyone who yearns for peace, I see you and I hear you,” she said. “Let’s get the deal done so we can get a ceasefire to end the war.”

In a bid to unify the Democratic Party, Biden has thrown his support behind Harris for the 2024 race. Her closer ties to Democratic progressives, some of whom have pressured Biden to condition U.S. weapons shipments to Israel, signal a potential shift in approach.

Biden and Netanyahu also met with families of Americans held by Hamas, who urged for a ceasefire to secure the release of hostages. “We came today with a sense of urgency,” said Jonathan Dekel-Chen, whose son is among the captives.