VP Kamala Harris condemns Israel's bombardment of Gaza as a 'humanitarian catastrophe' and calls for an 'immediate ceasefire' - ahead of meeting Netanyahu war cabinet rival at White House

Vice President Kamala Harris has called for 'an immediate ceasefire' in Gaza and called for Hamas to accept the deal currently on the table. 

She also called out Israel for failing to act to ease the 'humanitarian catastrophe' in Gaza in a sharp rebuke of the Netanyahu government's conduct.  

Her comments, made during a speech in Selma, Alabama, on Sunday, are the most strident from a senior member of the Biden administration since the Oct. 7 Hamas attack.

They came just a day before she is due to meet with a top Israeli official to discuss a potential ceasefire deal and a day after the US began air-dropping aid to the war-torn country,

'Before I begin I must address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza,' Harris said. 'What we are seeing every day in Gaza is devastating.'

Citing the 'immense scale of suffering' in the war-torn nation, she stressed 'there must be an immediate ceasefire for at least the next six weeks'.

Vice President Kamala Harris has broken with President Joe Biden to call for 'an immediate ceasefire' in Gaza 

Harris branded the situation in Gaza a 'humanitarian catastrophe' as she pushed a for a ceasefire for 'at least the next six weeks

Harris addressed crowds as she stood at the Edmund Pettus Bridge during an event to commemorate the 59th anniversary of 'Bloody Sunday' in Selma, Alabama

'This will get the hostages out and get a significant amount of aid in. This will allow us to build something more enduring to ensure Israel is secure and to respect the right of Palestinian people to dignity, freedom and self-determination,' Harris said.

Her comments mark a departure from the more cautious approach so far favored by Biden, as he struggles to strike a balance between the US' role as an ally to Israel, with growing international outrage over its bombing of Gaza. 

Around 30,000 Palestinians are estimated to have died in retaliatory airstrikes since October 7, when Hamas first attacked Israel killing 1,139 and taking 240 hostages.

Harris addressed reports that Gazans are currently starving, following warnings from the United Nations that the territory is perilously close to famine.

Israel has been accused of blocking aid to Gaza and last week hundreds of hungry Palestinians were met with gunfire when they attempted to obtain aid from a food truck.

'Our hearts break for the victims of that horrific tragedy and for all the innocent people in Gaza who are suffering from what is clearly a humanitarian catastrophe,' Harris added.

'The conditions are inhumane and our common humanity compels us to act. The Israeli government must do more to significantly increase the flow of aid. No excuses.'

Harris addressed crowds as she stood at the Edmund Pettus Bridge during an event to commemorate the 59th anniversary of 'Bloody Sunday' in the city.

Biden said he 'hoped' a ceasefire deal could be reached by Monday. Harris' comments are the strongest condemnation of Israel's conduct since the Oct. 7 by a senior member of the Biden administration 

Around 30,000 Palestinians are estimated to have died in retaliatory airstrikes since October 7, when Hamas first attacked Israel killing 1,139 and taking 240 hostages

The UN has warned that Gaza is on the brink of famine with thousands of people currently suffering from malnutrition

The historic civil rights protest saw marchers cross the bridge and clash with state police who used batons and tear gas to disperse them on March 7, 1965.

The incident became a tipping point in the civil rights struggle after images of the violent scenes were disseminated around the country and the world, garnering sympathy for the cause.

Harris' speech was met with cheers and rapturous applause from the audience.

It came the day before she is set to meet  Israeli war cabinet member Benny Gantz at the White House to discuss a ceasefire agreement - a move which is said to have incensed his chief political rival, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Harris added  'a deal is on the table' as she urged Hamas to accept it.

'Let's get the ceasefire. Let's reunite the hostages with their families. And let's provide immediate relief to the people of Gaza,' Harris said.

Israel boycotted ceasefire talks in Cairo on Sunday after Hamas rejected its demand for a complete list naming hostages that are still alive, according to an Israeli newspaper.

Biden's emphatic support for Israel has begun to dwindle in the face of an international outcry about Israel's conduct.

Israel has been accused of blocking aid to Gaza and last week hundreds of hungry Palestinians were met with gunfire when they attempted to obtain aid from a food truck

Pressure has been mounting for Biden to call for a ceasefire to win back progressive voters who have become disillusioned with his support for Israel's conduct

Vice President Kamala Harris (left) will meet with Israeli war cabinet member Benny Gantz (right) at the White House Monday as Washington seeks to reach a deal for a temporary ceasefire and increase the flow of humanitarian aid to Gaza.

The trip has reportedly incensed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who didn't approve Gantz's travel plans to Washington. Gantz, the leader of the National Unity party, is Netanyahu's chief political rival 

In the immediate aftermath of October 7, he called a press conference in which he stated: 'The United States stands with Israel. We will not ever fail to have their back.'

But just last week, he stated he hoped a deal could be reached to secure a ceasefire by Monday, while on Friday he reiterated the US' commitment to providing aid.

On Saturday, US cargo planes air-dropped 38,000 meals to Gaza as part of a wave of assistance planned for the besieged nation.

Biden was under immense pressure ahead of the Michigan primary on Tuesday to try and win back votes among progressives and young people who had become disillusioned over his support for Israel.

Michigan has the highest percentage and number of Arab Americans in the United States with more than 211,000 or 2.1 percent. Biden narrowly took the state from Trump in 2016.

While he managed to clinch the win, a sizeable portion of votes returned 'uncommitted' following a vigorous campaign by pro-Palestine activists, sparking fears for his chances in November.

Harris' comments were criticized by South Carolina GOP Senator Tim Scott.

'Hamas started this war with an unprovoked attack on Oct 7. Hamas violated the last ceasefire. The only thing Hamas can be trusted to do is commit acts of terror,' he said on X.

'Calling for a ceasefire - without even a list of remaining hostages - undermines Israel and panders to terrorists.'