Vice President Kamala Harris only smirked and gave a sarcastic answer Monday to reporters’ questions about Hamas saying it had accepted a cease-fire deal involving the bloody Mideast war.
“Madam Vice President, Hamas says it accepted—,” a reporter began as Harris exited Joe Louis Southern Kitchen in Detroit, Mich.
“Shrimp and grits,” Harris, 59, interjected with a grin as she pointed to her bag. “You wanted to know.”
“Hamas says it accepted a cease-fire deal. Your reaction?” the reporter continued.
“What are your thoughts on Hamas accepting a cease-fire deal?” another reporter asked.
Harris got into her motorcade without answering.
The veep swung through Detroit as part of her “Economic Opportunity Tour” on Monday to promote the Biden administration’s policies on the economy.
Earlier in the day, Hamas publicly announced that it accepted a cease-fire deal brokered by Egypt and Qatar.
Still, Israeli officials quickly revealed that the Jewish state has not yet green-lit the agreement, which would entail a six-week cease-fire and the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners in exchange for the freeing of more than 30 hostages held in the Gaza Strip.
Some top Israeli officials cast doubt on the sincerity of Hamas.
All of this has been complicated by the fact that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to forge ahead into the southern Gazan city of Rafah regardless of a hostage deal.
Rafah is home to an estimated 1.5 million Palestinians, many of whom fled fighting up north and set up tents.
President Biden had a call with Netanyahu on Monday and “reiterated” his position on the issue, according to a readout from the White House.
Biden, 81, has long made clear that he does not want to see a ground invasion of Rafah without a credible plan in place for the civilians there.
Netanyahu has clamored about rolling into Rafah for weeks, calling it the last major stronghold of Hamas. The Israeli prime minister has maintained that the war will not be over until Hamas is destroyed.
