Vice President Kamala Harris today spoke to President Isaac Herzog of Israel. The Vice President reiterated our steadfast support for Israel and its right to defend itself in the face of threats from Hamas, and she again condemned Hamas as a barbaric terrorist organization that perpetrated a horrific massacre on October 7 and engaged in brutal sexual violence. The Vice President and President Herzog discussed efforts to prevent the conflict in Gaza from spreading to the broader region, including in Lebanon and the Red Sea. The Vice President and President Herzog spoke about the shift to lower intensity operations in Gaza, securing the release of all hostages, and the importance of protecting of civilian lives and increasing humanitarian assistance into Gaza. They discussed ongoing planning for post-conflict Gaza and progress made on that front. The Vice President reiterated U.S. positions, including that Israel must be secure, there must be no forced displacement of Palestinians from Gaza, and the Palestinians must have a hopeful political horizon.  The Vice President also reiterated that the United States wants to see a more integrated, connected, and prosperous Middle East. 

###