Kamala Harris met PM Netanyahu, said 'Israel has the right to self-defense but...'

Benjamin Netanyahu News: US Vice President Kamala Harris has met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. During the meeting, highlighting the human suffering including the deaths of civilians in the ongoing war in Gaza, Harris said that Israel has the right to self-defense but what matters is how it defends itself. Harris met Netanyahu at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building in the 'White House' complex, the official residence and office of the US President.

'Israel has the right to defend itself'

Kamala Harris told reporters immediately after the meeting, "I have said this many times, but it is important to repeat it. Israel has the right to defend itself and how it does so matters. Hamas is a brutal terrorist organization. Hamas started this war on October 7 by killing 1,200 innocent people, including 44 Americans. Hamas has committed horrific acts of sexual violence and taken 250 people hostage. There are American citizens who are being held captive in Gaza.''

'I will not remain silent'

Harris said, "I have expressed grave concern about the dire humanitarian situation there. More than 2 million people are facing food insecurity and five lakh people are facing severe level of food insecurity. What has happened in Gaza in the last nine months is devastating.'' Harris said, "There are pictures of desperate, hungry people and dead children fleeing for safety after being displaced for the second, third or fourth time in many cases. We cannot turn a blind eye to these tragedies. I will not remain silent.''

'Talks continue'

The US Vice President said that talks are going on regarding the ceasefire and hostage release agreement. She said that the first phase of the agreement will be a complete ceasefire, under which the Israeli army will withdraw from the populated centers of Gaza and in the second phase, the Israeli army will completely withdraw from Gaza and this will lead to a permanent end to hostilities. He said, "It is time to end this war and it should end in a way that Israel is safe, all hostages are released, the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza ends and Palestinians can exercise their right to freedom, dignity and self-determination. There has been promising progress in the talks on this agreement."

'The time for agreement has come'

Harris said, "I just told Prime Minister Netanyahu that the time has come to do this agreement. I am seeing and listening to those who want a ceasefire and peace. Let us do this agreement so that we can end the war, bring the hostages back home and provide much-needed relief to the Palestinians."