Harris says 'it is time for this war to end,' affirms 'unwavering' support for Israel

• Vice President Kamala Harris said "Israel has a right to defend itself ... and how it does matters."
• Harris' remarks followed a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
• "It is time for this war to end, and end in a way where Israel is secure, all the hostages are released and the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza ends," said Harris.

Vice President Kamala Harris said "Israel has a right to defend itself ... and how it does matters." Harris' remarks followed a meeting she held with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Washington Thursday.

"It is time for this war to end and end in a way where Israel is secure, all the hostages are released, the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza ends and the Palestinian people can exercise their right to freedom, dignity and self determination," said Harris.

Since Harris launched her campaign on Sunday, the de facto Democratic presidential nominee has been under pressure to further define her position on the Israeli war with Hamas in Gaza, now in its tenth month.

Harris said her conversation with Netanyahu was "frank," and she pressed him to continue making headway on a multi-stage plan to scale back the warfare in densely populated Gaza, to release hostages and to permit Palestinians in Gaza to resume their daily lives.

"There has been hopeful movement and the talks to secure an agreement on this deal," she said. "And as I just told Prime Minister Netanyahu, it is time to get this deal done."

"So to everyone who has been calling for a ceasefire. And to everyone who yearns for peace. I see you and I hear you....Let's bring the hostages home. And let's provide much needed relief to the Palestinian people."

The meeting came amid a polarizing visit to Washington by