In a series of diplomatic meetings during the COP28 climate summit in Dubai, Vice President Kamala Harris expressed the United States' strong opposition to forcibly relocating Gaza residents outside the enclave, as Israel continues its bombardment of Hamas militants. After meeting with President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi of Egypt, Harris stated that the US will not permit the forced relocation of Palestinians from Gaza or the West Bank, rejecting the idea of moving them into Egypt or refugee camps elsewhere. Additionally, she rejected the suggestion by some Israeli officials that the borders of Gaza could shrink after the war to create a security "buffer zone" between Gaza and Israel.

Harris delivered these stern comments after a day of meetings with leaders from four Arab countries, including King Abdullah of Jordan and President Mohammed bin Zayed of the United Arab Emirates. Though her trip had initially been announced as climate-related, she spent more time discussing the Israel-Hamas conflict. However, she did not plan to travel to Israel and would return to the United States on Sunday. Harris had engaged in several meetings with top Israeli politicians over the past eight weeks.

During a news conference in Dubai, Harris emphasized the need for a hopeful political horizon, economic opportunity, and freedom for Palestinians. She also emphasized the importance of integration, prosperity, and security in the region. However, she did not provide specific commitments from the Arab leaders on how they would contribute to the post-war period in terms of reconstruction, security, and governance.

Regarding Israel's military strikes and civilian casualties, Harris declined to comment on specific incidents but reiterated that innocent civilian lives should not be intentionally targeted. A senior Biden administration official stated that the Israeli government and military were taking steps to be more precise in their strikes, but did not comment on a recent strike in Khan Younis that killed civilians.

Harris's statement rejecting any changes to Gaza's borders came in response to Israeli officials suggesting the idea. They proposed that the territory of Gaza would be smaller at the end of the war and emphasized the need for a security envelope in the enclave. However, Harris made it clear that the United States had not weighed in on the idea of a buffer zone in Gaza, though her earlier statement appeared to rule out such an idea.

Overall, Harris outlined the US's broad objectives for the post-conflict period, emphasizing the need for a reunified governing entity for Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank. She called for a clear political horizon, economic opportunity, and support from the international community and regional countries to rebuild and ensure security for the Palestinian people.