Vice President Harris to meet Israeli minister Benny Gantz at White House : NPR

Former Israeli Protection Minister Benny Gantz, second proper, meets with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Tel Aviv, Israel, on Feb. 8.

Mark Schiefelbein/AP


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Mark Schiefelbein/AP


Former Israeli Protection Minister Benny Gantz, second proper, meets with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Tel Aviv, Israel, on Feb. 8.

Mark Schiefelbein/AP

Vice President Kamala Harris will meet with Israeli battle cupboard member Benny Gantz on the White Home on Monday, because the U.S. appears to be like to safe a brief cease-fire deal to usher in extra humanitarian support into Gaza and for hostages to be launched, a White Home official stated.

“The vp will reiterate civilian casualties should be diminished,” the official stated. Harris additionally plans to precise concern for the protection of individuals in Rafah, and “the significance of making a hopeful political horizon for the Palestinian individuals,” the official added.

Nationwide safety adviser Jake Sullivan can even attend the White Home assembly, the official stated.

Moreover, Gantz plans to satisfy with Democratic and Republican members of Congress throughout his go to, his workplace stated in a press launch.

The previous Israeli army chief’s go to threatens to worsen his relations with political rival Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. An Israeli supply with data of the matter who was not approved to talk publicly informed NPR that Netanyahu was upset at Gantz for arranging the Washington journey with out his data.

Within the fast wake of the Oct. 7 Hamas-led assault on Israel, President Biden was strongly supportive of what he stated was Israel’s proper to defend itself. However because the civilian dying toll in Gaza has climbed, Biden has gone public with criticism of Netanyahu’s army response. Final month, Biden stated the response had been “excessive” and he has additionally stated Netanyahu’s authorities risked dropping world assist over its motion within the territory.

The Hamas-led assault killed some 1,200 individuals and took some 240 individuals hostage, in accordance with Israeli officers. Israel’s response has killed greater than 30,300 Palestinians, in accordance with Gaza’s well being ministry.

The U.S. started air-dropping desperately wanted support over the Gaza Strip on Saturday. Getting support to Gaza has proved tough, on account of ongoing combating and poor coordination with the Israeli army.

On Thursday, 115 individuals had been killed after Israeli troops fired on a big crowd of Palestinians attempting to get meals from an support convoy coming into Gaza Metropolis, in accordance with Gaza well being authorities. Israel stated dozens of individuals had been run over by vans or trampled as they crowded across the support convoy and says its troopers opened hearth when crowds moved towards its forces and put them in peril. Many if not most of these injured have gunshot wounds, in accordance with officers at hospitals treating victims.