During Diplomatic Blitz in Dubai With Arab Leaders, Harris Focuses on Post-Conflict Gaza

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (NEWSnet/AP) — Vice President Kamala Harris engaged in a speed-round of diplomatic talks with Arab leaders Saturday in Dubai.
She focused on shaping the outlook for “post-conflict” Gaza while urging Israel to do more to protect Palestinian civilians from “devastating” bombardment.
She made a trip to United Arab Emirates as the top U.S. representative at the UN climate conference, but the Israel-Hamas war was a main objective of her visit. She met with leaders of the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Jordan and spoke by phone with Qatar’s emir.
Aaid after the meetings, Harris said international humanitarian law must be respected.
"Too many innocent Palestinians have been killed,” she said. “The scale of civilian suffering and the images and videos coming from Gaza are devastating.’’
As Israel pursues its military objectives in Gaza, it must do more to protect innocent civilians, Harris said.
The vice president said that, at some point, the fighting will draw to an end and a plan must be ready for what comes next.
“There is a mutual desire to figure out how we are going to figure out and approach ‘the day after’ in ways that bring stability and peace to this region," Harris said, referring to a time when fighting in Gaza subsidies.
The vice president said she talked with Arab leaders about three key elements for a post-conflict Gaza: reconstruction, security and governance. It will be up to the region's key nations to “dedicate significant resources” to rebuilding hospitals and housing, Harris said. Electricity and clean water must be available and bakeries must be able to reopen, she said.
Harris said Palestinian National Authority security forces “must be strengthened to eventually assume security responsibilities in Gaza" while stressing that terrorists cannot be allowed to continue to threaten Israel as a condition for security.
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