Vice President Kamala Harris, in a recent interview with CBS, emphasized that the US is not dictating Israel’s actions amidst rising debates about Washington’s position on the Gaza conflict. She stated that the US is merely offering advice, equipment, and diplomatic support to Israel and has no intentions of deploying American troops to Israel or Gaza.
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s declaration about the war with Hamas entering its “second stage” has intensified the global spotlight on US policy. Harris, in her talk with CBS reporter Bill Whitaker, differentiated between Hamas and the general Palestinian population. While condemning Hamas’s actions, she highlighted that Palestinians deserve “safety, security, self-determination, and dignity”. Additionally, she emphasized that international rules of war should be maintained, ensuring that humanitarian aid continues to flow.
She also addressed concerns about the possibility of US troop involvement in the war, firmly stating that there are “no plans to send combat troops into Israel or Gaza.”
Harris’s comments followed last week’s US strikes on Syria’s facilities linked to Iran. These strikes were a response to multiple attacks on US forces in Iraq and Syria. However, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin clarified that these actions were not linked to the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Tensions within Washington’s diplomatic circles have been on the rise, with several Democrats urging for a ceasefire and expressing dissatisfaction over President Biden’s unwavering support for Israel during its blockade and bombardment of Gaza. There have even been reports of US diplomats preparing a “dissent cable” to voice their disagreements with the current policy. Adding to the internal disagreements, Josh Paul, a State Department official, resigned last week, attributing his decision to the Biden administration’s stance on the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Recent cables have shown concerns within the US Office of Palestinians Affairs in Jerusalem, warning the White House about the alarming situation facing Palestinians in Gaza. President Biden’s recent remarks, questioning the casualty figures in Gaza, further stirred discord within the US humanitarian response sector.
Despite the internal pressures and critiques, there are emerging signs that the Biden administration is starting to take note. According to reports, Washington urged the Israeli government to restore communication channels. The White House also indicated that Biden, in his calls with Israeli and Egyptian leaders, stressed the need for increased humanitarian aid to Gaza.
Though aid has been entering Gaza via Egypt’s Rafah crossing, the only one not under Israeli control, the United Nations and other bodies warn that the current assistance is insufficient for the needs of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents.
