U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has begun a Middle East visit in Israel hoping to bolster its ceasefire with Gaza’s ruling Hamas militants.
Blinken was also due to visit Ramallah in the occupied West Bank, Cairo and Amman.
Blinken’s agenda includes talks in Jerusalem with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Also a meeting in the West Bank city of Ramallah with Mohamoud Abbas.
U.S. President Joe Biden has said a two-state solution was the only answer to resolving the Israel-Palestinian conflict, and pledged a major package with other countries to help rebuild Gaza.
At least 253 people were killed in Gaza and more than 1,900 wounded in the eleven day bombardment by Israel.