The vice president seeks to reach a cease-fire deal to allow the flow of more aid into Gaza and to discuss the region's future. Gantz's trip to Washington has upset Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu.
Former Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz, second right, meets with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Tel Aviv, Israel, on Feb. 8.
Vice President Kamala Harris will meet with Israeli war cabinet member Benny Gantz at the White House on Monday, as the U.S. looks to secure a temporary cease-fire deal to bring in more humanitarian aid into Gaza and for hostages to be released, a White House official said. "The vice president will reiterate civilian casualties must be reduced," the official said. Harris also plans to express concern for the safety of people in Rafah, and"the importance of creating a hopeful political horizon for the Palestinian people," the official added.Additionally, Gantz plans to meet with Democratic and Republican members of Congress during his visit, his office said in a press release.
The former Israeli military chief's visit threatens to worsen his relations with political rival Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. An Israeli source with knowledge of the matter who was not authorized to speak publicly told NPR that Netanyahu was upset at Gantz for arranging the Washington trip without his knowledge.
In the immediate wake of the Oct. 7 Hamas-led attack on Israel, President Biden was strongly supportive of what he said was Israel's right to defend itself. But as the civilian death toll in Gaza has climbed, Biden has gone public with criticism of Netanyahu's military response. Last month, Biden said the response had been"The Hamas-led attack killed some 1,200 people and took some 240 people hostage, according to Israeli officials.
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