U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris expressed deep concern over the escalating violence in Gaza, stating that too many innocent Palestinians have been killed in the recent Israeli airstrikes following the collapse of a truce with Hamas militants.
As the death toll in Gaza rose to at least 193, with 650 wounded since the truce ended on Friday morning, Harris acknowledged Israel’s right to defend itself but emphasized the importance of respecting international and humanitarian law. Speaking in Dubai, she stated, “Frankly, the scale of civilian suffering, and the images and videos coming from Gaza, are devastating.”
Harris outlined a U.S. vision for post-conflict Gaza, calling for international support in the recovery process. She stressed the need to strengthen Palestinian security forces and advocated for a unified Gaza and West Bank under the Palestinian Authority, with Hamas no longer in control of Gaza.
The Palestinian Authority governs parts of the occupied West Bank, while Hamas has ruled Gaza since 2007. Israel has vowed to eliminate Hamas, accusing the group of seeking its destruction.
Mark Regev, a senior adviser to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, defended Israel’s actions, stating that they are targeting Hamas, a “brutal terrorist organization.” He reiterated Israel’s commitment to safeguarding Gaza’s civilians and expressed the intention to establish a “security envelope” after the conflict to prevent Hamas from being positioned on its border.
The renewed fighting intensified on Saturday, with a continuous stream of wounded people arriving at hospitals in Gaza. The head of the International Committee of the Red Cross described the situation as a “new layer of destruction” on top of the existing devastation.
Conditions inside Gaza reached a breaking point, prompting the first aid trucks since the end of the truce to enter from Egypt through the Rafah crossing. Israel pledged to facilitate the provision of humanitarian aid to Gaza’s civilians.
In response to the collapsed truce, Israel recalled a team from Qatar, the host of indirect negotiations with Hamas. French President Francois Macron announced his trip to Qatar to work on a new truce.
The conflict, which began on October 7, escalated when Hamas militants crossed into southern Israel, leading to a series of hostilities. The southern part of Gaza, including Khan Younis and Rafah, was heavily targeted on Saturday, raising fears among residents of an impending Israeli ground operation.
As the international community seeks a solution to the crisis, the death toll and destruction in Gaza continue to mount, with both sides blaming each other for the breakdown of the truce.
