The U.S. Secretary of State, Antony J. Blinken, is set to visit Israel, amid stalled cease-fire talks and increased tensions between Israel and the U.S. The visit will focus on addressing the remaining hostages in Gaza and Israel's impending military operation in Rafah. The Biden administration has expressed concerns about the potential invasion's impact on civilians, while Israel has emphasized the necessity to eliminate Hamas presence in the city. Efforts for a temporary cease-fire and the release of hostages have faced obstacles, with the U.S. blaming Hamas for impeding progress. Meanwhile, Gaza's residents are grappling with extreme heat and dire living conditions, raising concerns about disease spread. To alleviate the situation, the U.S. is constructing a maritime project to provide aid to Gaza. Additionally, Israel is engaged in conflict with Hezbollah in Lebanon, resulting in civilian casualties on both sides of the border. This recent violence has marked the heaviest confrontation between Israel and Hezbollah in nearly two decades.