What's happened
Vice President Kamala Harris calls for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and urges Israel to increase aid flow during a speech in Selma, Alabama. President Joe Biden echoes her sentiments in a meeting with the Italian Prime Minister. The calls come amid growing frustration with Israel's response to the crisis.
Why it matters
Vice President Kamala Harris' call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and increased aid flow is significant as it highlights the dire humanitarian situation in the region. The stance taken by Harris and echoed by President Biden could impact negotiations between Israel and Hamas and potentially lead to improved conditions for the people of Gaza.
What the papers say
The Independent reports that Vice President Kamala Harris' remarks calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza were toned down by the Biden administration before her speech. The New York Times highlights Harris' forceful assessment of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and her call for urgent action. Axios emphasizes that Harris' statements represent the Biden administration's strongest appeal for a ceasefire and come as efforts are made to secure a deal before Ramadan.
How we got here
The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has led to a dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, with reports of widespread suffering and food shortages. Vice President Kamala Harris' call for an immediate ceasefire and increased aid aims to address the urgent needs of the people in Gaza and push for a resolution to the crisis.
More on these topics
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Joseph Robinette Biden Jr. is an American politician who is the 46th and current president of the United States. A member of the Democratic Party, he served as the 47th vice president from 2009 to 2017 and represented Delaware in the United States Senate
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Kamala Devi Harris is an American attorney and politician who has served as the junior United States Senator from California since 2017.
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Hamas is a Palestinian Sunni-Islamic fundamentalist militant organization. It has a social service wing, Dawah, and a military wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades.