Rome is set to host a crucial gathering on Sunday, bringing together senior officials from Egypt, Qatar, and Israel to confer with CIA Director William Burns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The aim of the meeting, as reported by Axios on Friday, is to chart a course towards a truce agreement for the war in Gaza, which broke out on 7 October after Hamas fighters attacked Israeli cities and took dozens of captives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The discussions will take place amid\u00a0escalating global calls for a ceasefire from Israel. Meanwhile, Tel Aviv insists any deal must allow Israeli forces to resume military operations post-truce until Hamas is neutralized.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This stance has significantly hindered a US-backed proposal put forth by President Joe Biden in late May, which garnered international backing. The US offer proposes a phased approach to end the Gaza war and secure the release of all Israeli captives held in the enclave.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These talks also occur alongside a visit by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Washington.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
During his stay, Vice President Kamala Harris implored him on Thursday to swiftly secure a ceasefire agreement for the safe return of captives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In a meeting with Biden, Netanyahu was also urged to reach a resolution with Hamas based on the US-supported agreement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In a statement, the White House said Biden and Netanyahu discussed \u201cthe need to close the remaining gaps, finalize the deal as soon as possible, bring the hostages home, and reach a durable end to the war in Gaza.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite these efforts, Israeli negotiators, as per the Axios report, harbor skepticism regarding the potential for a breakthrough at the Rome meeting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Doubts persist over whether Biden’s discussions with Netanyahu will lead to any shifts in Israel’s stringent demands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The protracted war in Gaza, spanning nearly ten months, has resulted in a devastating toll, with Gaza’s health ministry reporting over 39,000 fatalities and more than 90,000 injuries from Israeli attacks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The repercussions have extended beyond Gaza, with Israel’s adversaries, including Yemen’s Houthis, launching frequent assaults on Israeli-affiliated targets, fueling heightened tensions across the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, Gaza has witnessed widespread destruction of critical infrastructure, including hospitals, schools, essential facilities, and areas designated by Israel as “safe zones,” exacerbating the region’s vulnerability to a looming crisis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Egypt Today<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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