Warns Israeli PM About The Terrible Humanitarian Situation In Gaza, US Vice President Harris: I Will Not Be Silent

JAKARTA - United States Vice President Kamala Harris warned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamain Netanyahu that he would not remain silent about the terrible humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, Palestine, when he received his visit on Thursday.

"Israel has the right to defend itself. And how he does it is important," Harris told reporters after the meeting.

He said he had raised serious concerns about the scale of human suffering in Gaza.

"I have explained my serious concerns about the terrible humanitarian situation there," he said.

"I will not stand still," he said.

Vice President Harris's sharp and serious statement reflects what might have been a change from President Joe Biden in the way he dealt with Prime Minister Netanyahu.

Hours earlier, President Biden urged a ceasefire for the 9-month war in Gaza in his first face-to-face talks with PM Netanyahu, since he traveled to Israel days after the Hamas attack on October 7 on Israel and promised American support.

White House national security spokesman John Kirby said there was still a gap between Israel and the Hamas militants who controlled the Palestinian enclave in a ceasefire attempt, but "we are now closer than ever."

"Both parties must make compromises," Kirby said.

Meanwhile, State Department spokesman Matt Miller said: "I think the message from the Americans at the meeting is that we need to finalize this deal."

On Friday, PM Netanyahu will go to Florida to meet Trump.

Vice President Harris has sided with President Biden on Israel, but has taken a tougher stance.

The conflict began on October 7 when Hamas militants attacked southern Israel from Gaza, killing 1,200 people. Israel launched a counter-attack.

According to an Israeli tally, the Hamas-led militants arrested 250 prisoners on October 7. About 120 hostages are still being held even though Israel believes one in three people are dead.

Separately, Gaza's health authorities on Thursday confirmed the death toll of Palestinians as a result of Israel's deadly aggression into the Gaza Strip since October 7, 2023, has now reached 39,175, while 90,403 people have been injured.