Vice President Kamala Harris maintains that the United States remains committed to applying pressure on Israel and Arab leaders to negotiate a deal involving hostages and a ceasefire in Gaza.
In a recent interview with CBS's "60 Minutes", Harris emphasized that Washington is actively collaborating with Israel on delivering humanitarian aid and pushing for an agreement that would both release hostages and initiate a ceasefire.
She assured that the U.S. will continue its diplomatic efforts in the region.
During the interview, CBS host Bill Whitaker suggested that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu might not be heeding U.S. efforts. In response, Harris pointed to the progress already made, asserting that Israel’s actions have been influenced by U.S. advocacy and interventions in the region.
Harris also addressed concerns about an Iranian missile strike on Israel, affirming that the U.S. must support Israel in defending itself from such attacks. This comes as Israel prepares for the anniversary of Hamas’s unprecedented assault on October 7, 2023, which led to the deaths of over 1,200 civilians.
Following this attack, Israel shifted its focus northward to Hezbollah, Hamas’s Iran-backed ally in Lebanon, with plans to retaliate for the Iranian missile strike. According to the UN, Israel’s military response to Gaza has resulted in the deaths of over 41,000 people, primarily civilians.
When asked if the U.S. still considers Netanyahu a close ally, Harris reframed the question, emphasizing the strong bond between the American and Israeli people rather than focusing solely on the Israeli leader.
