VP Harris describes Biden administration's vision for post-war Gaza, Palestinian statehood

US Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during the Tripling Renewable Energy and Doubling Energy Efficiency by 2030 session at the COP28 United Nations climate summit in Dubai on December 2, 2023. The COP28 conference opened on December 1 with an early victory as nations agreed to launch a "loss and damage" fund for vulnerable countries devastated by natural disasters. (Photo by KARIM SAHIB/AFP via Getty Images)

Vice President Kamala Harris on Saturday outlined the Biden administration's view of what post-war Gaza should look like while emphasizing that Israel has a right to self-defense. 

At a press conference in Dubai, Harris said the United States remains committed to securing the release of American hostages held by Hamas terrorists in Gaza. She also said that Israel must abide by international humanitarian law as it conducts an offensive in Gaza to destroy the terrorist group. 

"As Israel pursues its military objectives in Gaza, we believe Israel must do more to protect innocent civilians. So we all want this conflict to end as soon as possible and to ensure Israel's security and ensure security for the Palestinian people," Harris said. 

After the war, the Biden administration seeks a unified Gaza and West Bank under the Palestinian Authority's governance. "No forcible displacement. No reoccupation. No siege or blockade. No reduction in territory and no use of Gaza as a platform for terrorism," Harris outlined. "We want to see a unified Gaza and West Bank under the Palestinian Authority. And Palestinian voices and aspirations must be at the center of this work." 

The vice president called for international cooperation to bring an end to the war and deliver humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people. 

"The international community must dedicate significant resources to support short and long term recovery in Gaza. For example, rebuilding hospitals and housing, restoring electricity and clean water, and ensuring that bakeries can reopen and be restocked," she said. 

Harris also called for the Palestinian Authority security services to assume security responsibilities in Gaza and reiterated that terrorists must not be permitted to threaten Israel.

"We have been clear the Palestinians have a right to dignity and self-determination. And Israelis and Palestinians must enjoy equal measures of prosperity and freedom," she said. "They also deserve all deserve a sense of safety and security. And a two state solution then remains the best path, we believe, toward a durable peace. The president and I are committed to that goal."