US Special Envoy for the Middle East Steve Witkoff is set to meet Israel’s Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer in Italy’s capital, Rome, on Thursday for Gaza ceasefire talks, local media said.

Tensions remain heightened between Israel and Gaza as Iran has vowed not to abandoned their nuclear enrichment program in the wake of the U.S. bombing mission last month.

President Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, was heading to the Middle East as the U.S. tries once again to reach a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, a breakthrough that has eluded the administration for months as conditions worsen in Gaza.

Supporters of Israel’s aggressive strategy may argue that assertiveness will save Israel from fighting costly wars in the future by nipping threats in the bud. But whether it is Syria, Lebanon, or Iran, the aggressiveness is just as likely to entangle it in wars it cannot afford to fight.

US president Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, is travelling to the Middle East as Washington tries again to secure a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. The conflict has dragged on for over 21 months,

The IDF’s exhaustion and Hamas’ dogged survival points to the likelihood of a Gaza ceasefire in the next two months.

Turkey, which maintained a significant military presence in Syria throughout the civil war, remains entangled in a country that sits at the intersection of conflicts involving major Middle Eastern powers — Israel, Iran, and Turkey and also has a presence of ISIS.

The Israel Defense Forces said it was "expanding activities" in Deir al-Balah and issued evacuation orders. In the 21 months of war, Israel had not launched a ground offensive in the city in central Gaza.

Over a series of escalations across the Middle East, Netanyahu appears to be gambling with the Trump Administration’s patience.

Israel’s markets have been lifted by significant foreign investment and more recently by renewed investor confidence following its 12-day conflict with Iran.

If sufficient progress is made, Witkoff will travel from Rome to Doha towards the end of the week to secure a deal, according to reports. US President Donald Trump's Special Envoy to the Middle East,