In the latest round of violence between Israel and Hamas, at least three dozen people were killed in Israeli strikes on southern Gaza. The Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis received a total of 33 dead bodies from three separate Israeli attacks, while another hospital received three bodies, according to The Associated Press.

Tragically, among the victims of the strikes were 11 members of a single family, while at least 17 others sustained injuries. The Israeli military stated that it is currently looking into the reports but had no immediate comment to offer.

These strikes came as President Biden engaged in talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, along with Vice President Harris, to discuss the ongoing efforts to secure a ceasefire and negotiate a hostage return deal, in addition to calming tensions in the region. However, reports have emerged that Netanyahu has frustrated the Biden administration by not following through on promises to reduce military force along the Gaza-Egypt border.

During a three-hour meeting between Netanyahu and Secretary of State Antony Blinken earlier this week, it was reported that the Israeli leader had agreed to a U.S.-led proposal aimed at bridging the gaps between Israel and Hamas. Unfortunately, Hamas appears to be unwilling to accept the deal, dismissing it as "misleading claims."

Since the initial attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023, which sparked the ongoing conflict, local health authorities have reported that over 40,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israel's deadly counteroffensive. Furthermore, more than 100 hostages still remain under Hamas's control, with Netanyahu insisting on their safe return as a condition for a ceasefire deal.

The apparent collapse of the ceasefire deal is raising concerns of a potential escalation of conflict in the Middle East. However, the White House has pushed back against such fears, asserting that the negotiation process is actually "moving forward."

As the international community continues to monitor the situation closely, it remains to be seen whether a breakthrough can be achieved in the ceasefire talks, bringing much-needed relief to the violence-stricken region.