Harris pushes for Gaza ceasefire deal

US vice president Kamala Harris pushed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to reach a Gaza ceasefire deal in a tougher tone than President Biden.

That is Harris’ most prominent stance on foreign policy over a disputed territory that has been taken as she vies for the presidency.

“It is time for this war to end,” Harris said in a televised statement after she held face-to-face talks with Netanyahu. We cannot allow ourselves to be numb to the suffering and I will not be silent,” she said.

A ceasefire has been the subject of negotiations for months. U.S. officials believe the parties are closer than ever before to an agreement for a six-week ceasefire in exchange for the release by Hamas of women, sick, elderly and wounded hostages.

“There has been hopeful movement in the talks to secure an agreement on this deal, and as I just told Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, it is time to get this deal done,” Harris said.

“Israel has a right to defend itself. And how it does so matters.

“To everyone who has been calling for a ceasefire and to everyone who yearns for peace, I see you and I hear you,” she said.

“Let’s get the deal done so we can get a ceasefire to end the war,” she added.

The ongoing conflict has an impact in the US polls since a drop in support from Arab Americans would dent Democrats chances in Michigan and several other states to decide during the polls on Nov 5.