(Washington) American Vice President Kamala Harris told Benny Gantz, member of the Israeli war cabinet and great political rival of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, on Monday of her “deep concern” about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
She “urged Israel to take measures” to increase the entry of aid into the territory threatened by famine, but also “welcomed the constructive approach” of the Israeli authorities in the ongoing negotiations for a temporary cessation of the hostilities unleashed. by the attack by the Islamist movement Hamas on October 7 on Israeli soil.
The Democrat “called on Hamas to accept the conditions that are on the table for a release of the hostages which would result in an immediate six-week ceasefire and allow an increase in humanitarian aid.”
The meeting with Benny Gantz took place without press access.
The visit to Washington of this former Minister of Defense, member of the war cabinet and rival of Benjamin Netanyahu, is causing a stir in Israel.
PHOTO BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s great rival, Benny Gantz (left)
A White House spokesperson, John Kirby, indicated that the visit was at the initiative of Benny Gantz, whose program also includes meetings with national security adviser Jake Sullivan and with the head of Antony Blinken diplomacy.
“We are dealing with all members of the war cabinet, including Minister Gantz,” and his arrival “is a natural extension of these discussions,” he said.
“A member of the war cabinet wants to come to the United States, wants to talk to us about the evolution of the conflict […]. We are not going to deprive ourselves of this opportunity,” explained John Kirby.
“Among friends we must speak openly, and that is what we are going to do,” said Benny Gantz upon his arrival at the White House.
Doudi Amsellem, Israeli Minister for Regional Cooperation, criticized the influential centrist, whose party enjoys solid popularity, of playing the “Trojan horse” to the detriment of government “unity”.
Famine
According to John Kirby, the conclusion of an agreement on a six-week ceasefire and a release of certain hostages held in the Gaza Strip, in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, now depends on Hamas.
The Hamas attack on October 7 resulted in the deaths of at least 1,160 people, most of them civilians, according to an AFP count based on official Israeli data. Around 250 people were also kidnapped.
More than 30,500 people, mostly civilians, have been killed in Gaza in Israeli reprisal operations, according to the Hamas health ministry.
“Israel has made a proactive proposal and this agreement is on the table,” the spokesperson said. “It is up to Hamas to accept it.”
The United States still “hopes”, according to him, that the agreement can be concluded and come into force before the start of Ramadan, the holy month of Islam, therefore on March 10 or 11.
Faced with a heavy human toll and a catastrophic humanitarian situation, representatives of Egypt, Qatar and the United States – mediator countries – have resumed negotiations in Cairo with a view to a truce. A Hamas delegation is also in the Egyptian capital.
Kamala Harris has been worried for several months about the impact on part of the Democratic electorate of the posture of firm support for Israel adopted by Joe Biden and most of his lieutenants.
“The Israeli government must do more to significantly increase the flow of aid. There are no excuses,” the vice-president declared on Sunday, words of unprecedented firmness from a senior American official.
“The president and I have been on the same line since the beginning,” she assured Monday to journalists who asked her if there was a difference in approach.
Benny Gantz is received in Washington while Benjamin Netanyahu, under pressure for the release of the hostages, is also faced with the resurgence of a protest movement against his government.
Former Minister of Defense and former head of the armed forces, Benny Gantz joined the war cabinet, composed of five people, formed after October 7 for the sake of national unity.
He recently called on the head of government to present an exit strategy from the conflict, and believes, according to Israeli media and analysts, that the military offensive alone will not be enough to free the hostages.