Antony Blinken, the top US diplomat, is scheduled to visit Israel to advocate for localized pauses in the fighting in order to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza. This comes as Israel has surrounded Gaza City, the largest city in the Palestinian enclave and the main target in its campaign against Hamas. As the conflict enters its fourth week, Blinken will meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Meanwhile, mounting casualties and severe shortages in Gaza have prompted global leaders to call for a ceasefire. Gaza health authorities report that at least 9,061 people have been killed since the Israeli assault began. A group of independent UN experts has also warned of the risk of genocide. The White House has expressed its interest in exploring pauses in the conflict to facilitate aid efforts and the safe evacuation of people, including hostages. Israel claims that Hamas killed 1,400 people, mostly civilians, in the deadliest day of its history. The White House is actively looking into these pauses in the fighting.