Vice President Kamala Harris met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday, July 26, and reportedly told him that she will “not be silent” over suffering in Gaza while also emphasizing Israel’s “right to defend itself.” Netanyahu was in Washington to address a joint session of U.S. Congress and to meet with the White House to discuss the ongoing war in Gaza, which prompted protests in the streets.
Amid calls to end the war in Gaza, Harris said that she pushed Netanyahu to reach a deal to secure an extended cease-fire. Biden administration officials said that they believe negotiations are in the closing stages but maintain that some issues still need to be resolved.
Meanwhile, war casualties are continuing to mount in Gaza. The Hamas-controlled Gaza Health Ministry said that more than 39,000 Palestinians have been killed in the conflict since it began in October.
The World Health Organization (WHO) is warning about potential disease outbreaks in Gaza, including concerns over Polio after traces of the virus were found in sewage samples. The United Nations secretary general called the situation in Gaza a “total disaster” with unprecedented destruction and inadequate aid.
Netanyahu’s visit to the United States also brought out thousands of Pro-Palestinian protesters.
Both Republicans and Democrats condemned the actions of some protesters, such as dumping maggots and other bugs at Netanyahu’s hotel, burning American flags and spray painting pro-Hamas graffiti.
During his address to Congress, Netanyahu called the pro-Palestinian protesters “Iran’s useful idiots” and defended Israel’s war in Gaza. Some lawmakers skipped Netanyahu’s address in protest over Israel’s conduct during the conflict in Gaza.
On Wednesday, July 24, the bodies of several Israeli hostages were recovered and Israel said that it believes one-third of the remaining 120 captives are dead.
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