Washington DC, October 7:
U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris avoided answering the question of whether Benjamin Netanyahu qualifies as a "close ally" of the United States. The US is criticizing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's actions despite calls for de-escalation, according to Al Jazeera, and the VP was asked about it in an excerpt of an interview with CBS News's 60 Minutes that was released on Sunday. The attacks on Gaza and Lebanon have intensified tensions between the two countries.

According to Harris, a Democratic contender for president in November's election, they were trying to get the Arabs and Israelis in the Middle East to agree to a truce.

According to what Harris told "the work that we have done has resulted in a number of movements in that region by Israel."
In response to the topic of whether the US had a "real, close ally" in Netanyahu, Harris stated: "I think, with all due respect, the better question is, do we have an important alliance between the American people and the Israeli people?" on behalf of the US. The response to that inquiry is "yes,"

Al Jazeera stated that since Israel's war on the Gaza Strip started on October 7th, 2018, the United States has authorized an additional USD 14 billion in help to the US partner, on top of the 3.8 billion dollars that the US already gives Israel each year in military aid. The leaders assert their support for "Israel's right to defend itself," despite the US's statements that it supports de-escalation.

According to US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller, as reported by Al Jazeera, Israel does have the right to pursue terrorists. "Obviously attacks, targeted attacks on civilians, could not be justified," Miller added. Their actions should be focused on reducing injury to civilians. In Lebanon, like everywhere else, they are obligated to do it by international humanitarian law, Miller added.

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US Vice President Kamala Harris Avoids Question on Benjamin Netanyahu's Status as a 'Close Ally'