Top US-Israel talks scheduled as Gaza humanitarian toll mounts

The US State Department announced that Secretary of State Marco Rubio is scheduled to meet with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar in Washington on Wednesday, August 27.

According to the department’s public schedule, cited by Reuters, the meeting will take place at the State Department at 3:15 p.m. ET (7:15 p.m. GMT).

The announcement comes as President Donald Trump, who campaigned in 2024 on a promise to end the war in Gaza quickly, faces growing pressure over the ongoing conflict nearly seven months into his second term. Despite an initial ceasefire that lasted two months, the truce collapsed on March 18, when Israeli strikes killed around 400 Palestinians.

In recent weeks, harrowing images of starving Palestinians, including children, have intensified international criticism of Israel and its handling of the crisis, as humanitarian conditions in Gaza continue to worsen.

White House signals new discussions

During an appearance on Fox News' Special Report with Bret Baier, White House adviser Steven Witkoff said preparations are underway for a key meeting at the White House.

"Yes, we've got a large meeting in the White House tomorrow, chaired by the president, and it's a very comprehensive plan we're putting together on the next day," Witkoff said, without providing additional details or naming the participants.

When asked whether Israel should take a different approach to end the war and secure the release of hostages, Witkoff expressed confidence in a resolution this year.
"We think that we're going to settle this one way or another, certainly before the end of this year," he said.

He added that Israel remains open to continuing indirect discussions with Hamas, noting that the Palestinian militant group has signalled a willingness to consider a settlement.

Ongoing humanitarian catastrophe

Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, launched in response to the October 2023 Hamas attack that killed 1,200 people and resulted in about 250 hostages, has left devastating consequences.

According to Gaza health authorities, more than 62,000 Palestinians have been killed since the conflict began. The offensive has driven mass displacement across the enclave and triggered a hunger crisis that has engulfed Gaza’s entire population.

By Tamilla Hasanova