ROME: CIA Director William Burns will meet in Rome with senior officials from Israel, Egypt, and Qatar for talks on a Gaza ceasefire and the release of hostages amid escalating regional tensions.

The high-level talks, which include Israeli Mossad Chief David Barnea and Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, will be focused on brokering a ceasefire and negotiating the release of captives.

This diplomatic initiative follows recent intensified Israeli airstrikes and a stalemate in ceasefire negotiations that have continued for months.

According to Israeli public broadcaster Kan, Israel’s response to the latest ceasefire proposal was submitted to Washington on Saturday ahead of the Rome talks. Both Israel and Hamas have been at an impasse, with each side accusing the other of obstructing a resolution.

READ ALSO:  Khan Yunis Fighting Displaces 180,000 People in Four Days: UN

Meanwhile, the humanitarian situation in Gaza remains dire, as recent Israeli airstrikes on Khan Younis have caused significant casualties. Two separate strikes on Sunday resulted in the deaths of at least 15 Palestinians, including a four-month-old girl named Maria Abu Ziada, who was killed in an attack on a tent housing displaced people in the al-Mawasi zone. Another strike on a house in central Khan Younis claimed the lives of 10 more people.

Since October 7, 2023, Israeli bombardments have killed at least 39,324 Palestinians, the majority of whom are women and children, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. The intensity of the conflict has led to widespread suffering, with the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) condemning the ongoing blockade that prevents Gaza patients from receiving essential medical treatment abroad. The PCHR described the situation as a “grave violation” and “genocide,” highlighting the severe impact on Gaza’s medical infrastructure.

The Rafah border crossing, Gaza’s sole entry to Egypt, has been closed since early May, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) has reported severe shortages of clean water, hygiene products, and cleaning supplies, leading to increased disease and skin infections. The recent detection of poliovirus in Gaza’s sewage has further compounded health risks, threatening thousands with paralysis.

The situation in central Gaza has also deteriorated. Medical sources report that 18 bodies have been brought to Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, as Israeli air and artillery strikes continue to target various areas, including those previously deemed safe. Residents of central Gaza, including Nuseirat and Bureij, have received evacuation orders from Israeli forces via phone calls.

The diplomatic meeting in Rome represents a crucial effort to de-escalate the conflict and address the dire humanitarian conditions.