US calls for ceasefire in Gaza
On 3 March, US vice president Kamala Harris called for a ceasefire in the Israel-Gaza war. Gaza is a strip of land that borders Israel.
What did Kamala Harris say?
Harris called for an “immediate ceasefire for at least the next six weeks”. A ceasefire is when both sides agree to stop fighting. On 7 October 2023, a long-running conflict between Hamas and Israel became much worse when Hamas attacked Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking around 240 hostages (prisoners). Hamas is a political and military group that is classed as a terrorist organisation by several countries, including the UK and the US. Since 7 October, more than 30,000 people have died during Israel’s military operations in Gaza. The US government is usually supportive of Israel, so Harris’ statement is seen as strong criticism of Israel’s military operations against Hamas in Gaza.
She said that a ceasefire would allow aid, such as food and medicine, to reach people in Gaza and for hostages to be safely released by Hamas. She also called on the Israeli government to do more to allow help and essential supplies to reach people in Gaza.
What is the situation in Gaza?
On 4 March, the World Health Organisation said northern Gaza is suffering from serious shortages of fuel, food, water and medicine. Across Gaza, Israeli military action has destroyed roads and buildings, including hospitals. Out of Gaza’s population of 2.2 million people, around 75% have left their homes to avoid fighting. Now, around 1.5 million people are living in the city of Rafah in southern Gaza. Before 7 October, 250,000 people lived in Rafah but the Israeli military told people to go there to escape fighting.
There are also severe shortages of essential supplies throughout Gaza, with only a small amount of aid getting through by air or via the only open border crossing, between Rafah and Egypt. Aid organisations say they can’t carry out their work because of fighting, damaged roads and Israel closing border crossings. Israel denies it is blocking aid.
What are countries doing to help?
On 2 March, the US and Jordan sent more than 38,000 meals into Gaza by dropping them from planes using parachutes, and more aid drops are planned. The UK and Jordan air-dropped four tonnes of medicine, fuel and food to Tal Al-Hawa Hospital in northern Gaza on 21 February. Other countries, charities and organisations are also donating aid.
What happens next?
As The Week Junior went to press, representatives of Hamas were in Cairo, Egypt, discussing a ceasefire agreement with officials from Qatar, Egypt and the US, who are helping with peace talks. Israel did not send any representatives because it wants Hamas to provide a list of Israeli hostages who are being held in Gaza. Hamas has not been able to provide this information. On 5 March, an Egyptian official said, “negotiations [talks] are difficult but they are continuing”.