In the face of ongoing violence in Gaza, US Vice President Kamala Harris has once again called for a ceasefire, emphasizing the urgency of seizing an opportunity for peace. Her call comes in the wake of the death of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, who was killed in a targeted airstrike.
Harris highlighted the potential for a shift in the conflict, stating, “This creates an opening that I believe we must take full advantage of – to dedicate ourselves to ending this war and bringing the hostages home.” However, she acknowledged the complexity of the situation, saying, “As it relates to the issues in the Middle East and in particular in that region, it has never been easy. But that doesn’t mean we give up. It’s always going to be difficult. We can’t give up.”
Amidst growing concerns from Arab American and Muslim communities regarding US support for Israel’s military actions, Harris addressed the potential impact on her upcoming election campaign. While dodging a direct question on whether this could cost her the election in key battleground states like Michigan, she affirmed her commitment to speaking out against the loss of innocent lives.
“I speak publicly all the time about the fact that there are so many tragic stories coming from Gaza,” she stated, acknowledging the initial Hamas attack on Israel on October 7. She further emphasized the need to acknowledge the suffering on both sides of the conflict, saying, “What’s critically important as we look at this moment, is… acknowledging the tragedy of what has happened in Gaza, in terms of the extraordinary number of innocent Palestinians that have been killed, and taking that seriously and speaking truth about that.”
With the US presidential election less than three weeks away, Harris and her opponent Donald Trump are locked in a tight race in key battleground states. Harris’s campaign seeks to replicate President Biden’s victories in 2020 by securing strong support in cities with significant Arab American and Muslim populations.
In a show of support for Harris, 50 prominent Lebanese-Americans recently endorsed her candidacy, highlighting the Biden administration’s support for Lebanon. This endorsement came amidst escalating violence in Lebanon, where ongoing Israeli attacks have resulted in thousands of deaths and displaced millions.
The conflict in Gaza has also resulted in devastating casualties. Following the October 7 attack, which claimed the lives of over 1,200 people and resulted in the capture of 253 hostages, Israeli military action has reportedly led to over 42,500 fatalities, according to Palestinian officials.
As the situation in both Gaza and Lebanon remains volatile, the call for a ceasefire and a resolution to the conflict continues to be a top priority for the international community.