Kamala Harris Urgently Calls for Ceasefire and Two-State Solution Amid Israel-Gaza Conflict

U.S. Democratic presidential candidate and current Vice President Kamala Harris on Tuesday called for an immediate end to the ongoing Israel-Gaza war. She emphasized that Israel must refrain from reoccupying the Palestinian enclave once the conflict concludes. Speaking at the National Association of Black Journalists conference in Philadelphia, Harris urged for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas militants. She advocated for a two-state solution to ensure long-term stability in the Middle East while avoiding empowering Iran.

Harris Emphasizes the Need for Regional Stability

“We’ve made ourselves very clear—this deal needs to get done in the best interest of everyone in the region,” Harris stated when responding to questions from three journalists. The war, which began on October 7 with a Hamas attack on Israel, has claimed over 41,000 lives and left nearly 95,500 wounded, according to the Gaza health ministry. In Israel, 1,200 people, mainly civilians, were killed, and around 250 hostages were taken during the initial Hamas assault.

Harris’ call for a ceasefire came as the humanitarian crisis in Gaza deepened, with escalating international concern over civilian casualties.

Haitian Immigrants in Springfield Controversy

During the same interview, Harris addressed the social media controversy surrounding Springfield, Ohio, where false claims circulated that Haitian immigrants were eating household pets. Right-wing agitators amplified the unsubstantiated rumors, which quickly gained traction online. Former President Donald Trump, Harris’ Republican rival in the upcoming November election, has promised mass deportations of Haitian immigrants from Springfield if elected, even though most are legally residing in the U.S.

“This is exhausting, harmful, and hateful. It’s grounded in age-old prejudices that we should not tolerate,” Harris responded when asked about the matter.

Economic Issues and Housing Crisis: A Key Focus for Harris

In the 45-minute interview, Harris also outlined her plans to address the housing shortage in the U.S. If elected president, she plans to collaborate with private investors to increase the housing supply, acknowledging that current efforts have not sufficiently lowered housing costs. “One of the big issues affecting people is the shortage of affordable housing,” Harris said. “It’s too expensive.”

She reiterated her commitment to expanding the child tax credit to $6,000 and pledged that no American family would spend more than 7% of their income on childcare under her administration.

Harris and Trump Compete for Black Voters

Harris and Trump are intensifying their campaigns to win over Black voters, who could be decisive in crucial battleground states such as Pennsylvania and Georgia. In the 2020 election, Black voters overwhelmingly supported Joe Biden, with 92% backing him compared to 8% for Trump, according to Pew Research Center data.

Despite strong Democratic support from Black voters, recent NAACP surveys indicate some erosion of that support, particularly among younger Black men, a quarter of whom now express willingness to vote for Trump. “Black men are like any other voting group,” Harris noted. “You have to earn their vote.”

Key Battleground States

Pennsylvania, a must-win state for Harris, and Georgia, where Black voters make up a third of the population, remain critical for both candidates. Harris’ campaign is working hard to secure this base. At the same time, Trump faces challenges due to his history of racially insensitive remarks and Republican-led voting restrictions, which activists claim disproportionately impact Black voters. Despite this, the Trump campaign continues its outreach efforts to expand its support among this critical demographic.

Both candidates understand that success in these battleground states may well determine the election’s outcome.