Multiple airstrikes in the southern Gaza Strip have resulted in the deaths of at least three dozen Palestinians on Saturday. The strikes occurred as preparations for high-level cease-fire talks were underway in Egypt. Among the victims were 11 members of the same family, including two children, who were tragically killed when an Israeli airstrike hit their home in the city of Khan Younis early Saturday.

According to Nasser Hospital, where the bodies and wounded were taken, a total of 33 people lost their lives in three separate strikes in and around Khan Younis. Additionally, Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in the city reported receiving three more bodies from another strike that took place on Saturday. Furthermore, seventeen individuals were killed when a strike hit a road south of Khan Younis, including passengers on a tuk-tuk and innocent bystanders, as reported by Nasser Hospital. Another tuk-tuk was targeted east of Khan Younis, resulting in the deaths of at least five people.

In the midst of these devastating events, mediators in Cairo were actively working to facilitate high-level talks scheduled for Sunday. The talks aim to explore the possibilities of a cease-fire mediated by the United States, Egypt, and Qatar. The discussions involve top officials, including President Biden's Mideast adviser Brett McGurk and CIA Director William Burns, who are part of the U.S. delegation that traveled to Cairo after a restart in talks regarding the implementation of a cease-fire in Gaza earlier this week. Mediators from Egypt and Israel are also involved in the negotiations.

The White House expressed that the talks have been productive, and progress has been made, although specific details were not provided. A Hamas delegation is expected to arrive in Cairo on Saturday, as they will be briefed by Egypt and Qatar regarding the ongoing talks. It is important to note that Hamas will not participate directly in Sunday's talks but will be updated by the mediators.

The United States has been actively proposing a bridging proposal aimed at bridging the gaps between Israel and Hamas. This comes as pressure intensifies for a cease-fire and concerns grow over the potential escalation into a wider regional conflict following the targeted killings of leaders from both Hamas and Hezbollah, which have been attributed to Israel.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken, in a three-hour conversation with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, stated that Israel had agreed to the plan. The secretary indicated that the proposal includes a clear schedule and specific locations for Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) withdrawals. However, Netanyahu's subsequent public remarks have contradicted this statement, leading to uncertainty around Israel's stance.

President Biden has been actively engaged in diplomatic efforts, urging Netanyahu to prioritize reaching a cease-fire and a hostage release deal. The president also held discussions with the leaders of Qatar and Egypt to stay updated on the developments.

While progress has been made, challenges remain in implementing the technical aspects of the proposed plan. One significant obstacle lies in the Philadelphi corridor, running alongside Gaza's border with Egypt, and the Netzarim east-west corridor across the territory. Hamas demands a complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, while Netanyahu insists on Israeli control over these corridors.

Hamas political official Bassem Naim indicated that their position remains unchanged, favoring an earlier draft that calls for the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. As the cease-fire talks approach, it remains to be seen how these contentious issues will be addressed.

The conflict in Gaza began on October 7 when Hamas and other militants launched a surprise attack on Israel, resulting in the deaths of around 1,200 people, primarily civilians. During the attack, approximately 250 people were taken hostage and brought into Gaza. While over 100 hostages were released during a previous cease-fire, it is estimated that around 110 individuals, with approximately a third believed to be deceased, remain in captivity according to Israeli authorities.

According to the Hamas-run Health Ministry, Israel's retaliatory offensive has claimed the lives of over 40,000 Palestinians. The ministry's count does not distinguish between civilians and combatants. Additionally, the offensive has caused significant destruction and forced the majority of Gaza's 2.3 million residents to flee their homes.

As the world anxiously awaits the outcome of the forthcoming cease-fire talks, the urgent need for a peaceful resolution to the ongoing violence in Gaza cannot be understated.