Harris pressed Netanyahu at meeting for Gaza ceasefire, hostage deal

• This was Harris' first meeting with a foreign leader since she started her presidential campaign.

Driving the news: Harris met with Netanyahu for 40 minutes in her ceremonial office.

• The vice president and the Israeli prime minister didn't say anything at the top of the meeting, but once it was over Harris' office announced she would give an on camera statement.

What they're saying: Harris said she will always ensure that Israel is able to defend itself, including from Iran and Iranian-backed militias, such as Hamas and Hezbollah.

• "I've said it many times, but it bears repeating. Israel has a right to defend itself and how it does so matters," she said.
• Harris condemned Hamas' Oct. 7 terrorist attack and stressed the group is responsible for triggering the war and that Hamas kidnapped hostages, including U.S. citizens.

The other side: Harris then turned to the situation in Gaza and stressed she expressed to Netanyahu her "serious concern about the scale of human suffering in Gaza, including the death of far too many innocent civilians."

• "I made clear my serious concern about the dire humanitarian situation there with over 2 million people facing high levels of food insecurity and half a million people facing catastrophic levels of acute food insecurity," she added.
• Harris said what has happened in Gaza during the war is "devastating."
• She added: "The images of dead children and desperate hungry people fleeing for safety, sometimes displaced for the second, third or fourth time. We cannot look away in the face of these tragedies. We cannot allow ourselves to become numb to the suffering and I will not be silent."

What to watch: Harris stressed there is a deal on the table for a ceasefire and a hostage deal.

• "It is time for this war to end and the end in a way where Israel is secure, all the hostages are released, the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza ends and the Palestinian people can exercise their right to freedom, dignity and self determination," she said.
• "And as I just told Prime Minister Netanyahu it is time to get this deal done. Let's get the deal done. So we can get a ceasefire to end the war. Let's bring the hostages home. And let's provide much needed relief to the Palestinian people."

The big picture: Harris said she remained committed to a path forward that can lead to a two state solution.

• "I know right now, it is hard to conceive of that prospect," she said.
• "But a two state solution is the only path that ensures Israel remains a secure Jewish and democratic state and one that ensures Palestinians can finally realize the freedom security and prosperity that they rightly deserve."