VP Harris calls on immediate ceasefire, demands Israel ‘significantly’ increase Gaza aid

U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris lashed out at Israel for its handling of the humanitarian situation in Gaza, calling for an “immediate ceasefire.”

“Given the immense scale of suffering in Gaza there must be an immediate ceasefire. For at least the next six weeks, which is what currently is on the table,” Harris said, referring to an outline for a ceasefire currently being negotiated between Israel and Hamas.

“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. Let’s get a ceasefire. Let’s reunite the hostages with their families. And let’s provide immediate relief to the people of Gaza,” Harris added.

The Vice President also demanded that Israel 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.”

“What we’re seeing every day in Gaza is devastating. We have seen reports of families eating leaves or animal feed. Women giving birth to malnourished babies with little to no medical care. Children dying from malnutrition and dehydration,” Harris said.

“Too many innocent Palestinians have been killed. Just a few days ago, we saw hungry desperate people approach aid trucks, simply trying to secure food for their families after weeks of nearly no aid reaching northern Gaza. They were met with gunfire and chaos,” she added.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir responded to Harris’ remarks, saying: “It’s time to destroy Hamas, Kamala.” Harris is scheduled to meet with war cabinet member Benny Gantz in Washington D.C. on Monday.

Israel has been harshly criticised over the weekend after alleged Israeli fire at civilians looting aid from a truck caused chaos and mass stampede. Israel says dozens were killed while Hamas claims the number of casualties are over 112.

The UN, as well as several of Israel’s allies, all called for an independent investigation into the incident.

The U.S. began airdropped aid to Gaza following the tragedy, but admitted that it’s a logistically difficult operation to carry out.

As the International system continued to complain that not enough aid is entering Gaza, Israel repeated that it isn’t putting any restrictions on the amount of trucks that can enter the Strip, accusing the UN of failing to deliver the aid.