The US secretary of state, Antony Blinken arrives in Tel Aviv today and is expected to urge the Israeli government to agree to pauses to the fighting in Gaza, according to the White House, writes The Guardian.

White House national security spokesman John Kirby said the US was not advocating for a general cease-fire but a “temporary, localized” pause.

Departing the Washington, Blinken said he would discuss concrete steps to minimise harm to civilians in Gaza during his visit to Israel.

It should be mentioned that the US, the Republican-led lower chamber of Congress has passed a USD 14bn aid package for Israel.