DUBAI, UAE – Vice President Kamala Harris delivered a stark message to Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi on Saturday, declaring that the United States will “under no circumstances” tolerate the forced relocation of Palestinians or any redrawing of the Gaza Strip’s borders.
Harris, who is currently attending the COP28 climate summit in Dubai, has been spearheading US diplomatic efforts amidst the ongoing conflict in Gaza. While acknowledging Israel’s “legitimate military objectives,” she expressed grave concern over the escalating civilian casualties in the besieged enclave.
“The scale of suffering, the images, and the videos coming from Gaza are devastating,” Harris told reporters, visibly shaken. “It is truly heartbreaking.”
Her comments came as Israeli-Hamas negotiations faltered, raising fears of further bloodshed. Despite supporting Israel’s right to defend itself, the US has grown increasingly vocal about its post-conflict expectations.
In her meeting with Sisi, Harris outlined a vision for reconstruction, security, and governance in Gaza. But she stressed that these efforts can only succeed with a clear political horizon for Palestinians. This, she asserted, requires a revitalized Palestinian Authority leading the charge towards statehood, backed by robust international and regional support.
Harris’ message resonated with regional concerns. Jordan’s King Abdullah II, among others, has warned against Israel using the conflict to annex parts of Gaza or expel its residents. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s cryptic statement about a postwar “overriding, overreaching military envelope” in Gaza has further fueled anxieties.