US and Israeli negotiators are expected in the Egyptian capital Cairo over the weekend for a renewed push to reach a ceasefire-captive deal in a war that has raged for nearly half a year, which has killed over 33,000 Palestinians.
Ahead of the talks, US President Joe Biden wrote to the leaders of Egypt and Qatar, urging them to dial up pressure on Hamas to “agree to and abide by a deal”, a senior administration official told the AFP news agency.
The White House confirmed that negotiations would occur this weekend in Cairo, but would not comment on US media reports that CIA director Bill Burns would be attending, along with Israel spy chief David Barnea, Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and Egypt’s intelligence chief Abbas Kamel.
Despite the potential ceasefire talks and calls for a truce in Gaza, Israeli forces carried out a series of strikes in the early hours of Saturday near Gaza City, killing at least three people and injuring 10, according to the Palestinian Wafa news agency.
Israeli shelling also hit homes in numerous areas of central Gaza, causing more injuries in the neighbourhoods of Mughraqa, Zahra, and near Nuseirat camp.