Kamal Harris Make Sure Washington Continues To Press Israel To Reach Ceasefire

JAKARTA - Democratic Vice President and presidential candidate Kamala Harris said Washington would continue to pressure Israel and other parties in the Middle East to reach a ceasefire agreement in Gaza, although supporters say the United States has so far not used its influence on its allies.

In an interview on CBS's "60 Minutes", Harris said diplomatic cooperation with Israel was a "sustainable effort," according to a clip released on Sunday.

Vice President Harris avoided questions in the interview about whether Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was a "very close ally."

"I think with all due respect to a better question is whether we have an important alliance between the American people and the Israeli people and the answer to that question is yes," he explained.

On the other hand, Vice President Harris reiterated Washington's position to support Israel's right to defend itself against Iran and militant groups such as Hamas Palestine and Hezbollah Lebanon.

"Now the work we are doing diplomatically with Israeli leaders is a continuing effort to clarify our principles," he explained.

"We will not stop putting that pressure on Israel and in the region including Arab leaders," added Vice President Harris.

Washington's condemnation of Israel of the number of civilian casualties in the war is largely only verbal without any substantive changes in policy.

Supporters say Washington is not putting pressure on its allies by refusing to impose an arms embargo that has been prosecuted by antiwar protesters across the United States and the world for months. Protests were also held over the weekend.

The latest conflict in Gaza broke out after a Palestinian militant group led by Hamas attacked Israel's southern region on October 7, 2023, leaving about 1,200 people dead another 250 held hostage according to Israeli tally.

On the other hand, Palestinian authorities announced on Sunday that Israel's retaliatory attacks have so far killed 41,870 Palestinians and 97,166 others injured, mostly women and children, quoted from WAFA.