Brussels- European Union foreign ministers are to meet twice with top officials from the Middle East this week in Brussels to discuss an international response to the ongoing crisis in Gaza, the bloc's Czech presidency announced Monday.

The first meeting, a working dinner, will be held on Wednesday evening and will bring together the foreign ministers of the EU's 27 member states and Israel, the presidency announced in a statement.

The second, on Sunday evening, will include the EU's 27 representatives and top officials from Egypt, Jordan, Turkey and the Palestinian Authority, the statement said.

The aim of both meetings is to look for ways to reinforce the fragile ceasefire agreed between Israel and Hamas, and to revive the peace process.

The Czech government took over the EU's rotating presidency on January 1 and is to hold it until June 30. (dpa)