U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris has reiterated her government support for Israel, but she, in her talks with Israeli President Isaac Herzog, emphasized the need to "hold extremist settlers accountable for acts of violence" in the West Bank of Palestine.
The duo discussed the ongoing armed conflict in Israel, Gaza, and the West Bank, said a White House readout of their phone conversation.
Harris expressed her support for Israel's right to defend its citizens and "combat terrorism."
She stressed the need to protect civilians and uphold international humanitarian law.
She emphasized the importance of West Bank stability, saying: "Hold extremist settlers accountable for violent acts."
Harris also stressed the necessity of establishing sustainable peace in the region, beyond the current conflicts, and expressed her commitment to working with regional partners on this matter.
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin also spoke with his Egyptian counterpart Muhammad Zaki by phone, said the Pentagon said in a statement.
They discussed improving security in the Middle East after Oct. 7.
Austin also thanked Egypt for its assistance in delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza and evacuating U.S. citizens from there.
During their conversation, they emphasized the importance of protecting civilians, and Austin backed Israel's right to self-defense against "terrorist attacks."
Israel said 31 soldiers have been killed and 260 others injured since it began expanded ground operations in the Gaza Strip on Oct. 27.
At least 10,328 Palestinians, including 4,237 children and 2,719 women, have been killed in Israeli air and ground attacks in the Gaza Strip since a cross-border attack by Hamas on Oct. 7. The Israeli death toll, meanwhile, is nearly 1,600, according to official figures.
Besides the large number of casualties and massive displacements, basic supplies are running low for Gaza's 2.3 million residents due to the Israeli siege.
