US Secretary of State heads to Israel to discuss Gaza ceasefire

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is expected to arrive in Israel on August 18 and meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on August 19.

The visit comes as ceasefire talks for the Gaza Strip continue in Doha, which are seen by Israel as the last opportunity to reach an agreement to end the conflict in Gaza, Caliber.Az reports citing the Russian media.

During his meeting with Netanyahu, Blinken is anticipated to push for an agreement on a ceasefire with the radical group Hamas.

Blinken may also visit Cairo and Doha during this trip. Progress was made on August 15, the first day of negotiations in Doha.

Negotiations to secure a ceasefire and the release of hostages held in the Gaza Strip are being mediated by Qatar, Egypt, and the US, with an Israeli delegation present. Hamas representatives have stated they will not participate in the current talks but are willing to meet later to receive "updated information and assess whether Israel has presented what Hamas considers a serious and practical proposal for a deal."

The situation in the Middle East has sharply escalated following the assassination of Hamas political bureau head Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran and Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr in Beirut at the end of July. Iran and Hezbollah have vowed retaliation for these killings. Israel has neither confirmed nor denied involvement in the assassinations.