Kamala Harris says there must be an ‘immediate ceasefire’ in Gaza

Vice President Kamala Harris called for Israeli officials and leaders of Hamas to accept a deal that would begin a six-week ceasefire in the Gaza Strip on Sunday as she spoke in Selma, Alabama, on the anniversary of the civil rights march later known as “Bloody Sunday”.

“[G]iven the immense scale of suffering in Gaza, there must be in immediate cease fire — for at least the next six weeks, which is what is currently on the table,” said the vice president, standing with her back to the Edmund Pettus Bridge.

She also delivered one of if not the sternest condemnations of Israel’s failure to allow humanitarian aid to citizens of the Gaza Strip, remarks that came after Israel’s military was widely condemned for opening fire as Palestinians swarmed an aid truck carrying flour.

“The Israeli government must do more to significantly increase the flow of aid. No excuses,” said Ms Harris.

“As President Joe Biden said on Friday, the United States is committed to urgently get more lifesaving assistance, to innocent Palestinians in need. Yesterday, the department of defense carried out its first airdrop of humanitarian assistance. And the United States will continue these airdrops. And we will work on a new route, by sea, to deliver aid. “

Her remarks come a day ahead of her planned meeting in Washington DC with Benny Gantz, a top Israeli minister and centrist rival of Benjamin Netanyahu, the country’s far-right prime minister. Mr Gantz’s visit rankled the prime minister and his allies at a time when an increasing number of media reports point to a fraying of ties between Mr Biden and Mr Netanyahu even if the US administration continues to maintain vocal support for Israel and its right to “self-defence”.

The vice president went on to