CIA director to meet Egyptian, Israeli, Qatari officials in Italy for Gaza talks

CAIRO – 27 July 2024: 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.

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.

The discussions will take place amid escalating 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.

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.

These talks also occur alongside a visit by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Washington.

During his stay, Vice President Kamala Harris implored him on Thursday to swiftly secure a ceasefire agreement for the safe return of captives.

In a meeting with Biden, Netanyahu was also urged to reach a resolution with Hamas based on the US-supported agreement.

In a statement, the White House said Biden and Netanyahu discussed “the 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.”

Despite these efforts, Israeli negotiators, as per the Axios report, harbor skepticism regarding the potential for a breakthrough at the Rome meeting.

Doubts persist over whether Biden's discussions with Netanyahu will lead to any shifts in Israel's stringent demands.

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.

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.

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.