Israel said it plans to send a delegation to Rome next week, when talks on a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip are expected to take place. The head of the US Central Intelligence Agency is also reportedly traveling to the Italian capital to hold meetings aimed at mediating a deal.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu revealed on Friday his country will dispatch a team to Rome, probably early next week, to negotiate a deal with Hamas on a ceasefire and the release of hostages.
Netanyahu made the comment during talks with former US President Donald Trump at his home in Florida.
US news website Axios reported that CIA Director Bill Burns is expected to meet in Rome with senior officials from Israel and countries serving as mediators.
Observers are looking for signs of progress in the stalled negotiations.
Meanwhile, the Israeli military carried out further attacks in Gaza on Saturday. Local media reports say five residents of the southern city of Rafah died.
Israel’s military told residents in the southern part of Khan Younis in southern Gaza to temporarily evacuate. The military says rockets were fired toward Israel from the city and it plans to conduct counterterrorism and other operations in the area.