Date: Aug 8, 2017
Source: The Daily Star
UN chief to make first visit to Israel, Palestinian territories
UNITED NATIONS, United States: U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres will pay his first visit since taking the U.N. helm to Israel, occupied Palestine and the Gaza Strip, at the end of the month, diplomats said Thursday.

The U.N. chief will hold talks with Israeli leaders, travel to Ramallah to meet Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas and to the Gaza Strip, where the United Nations runs a major Palestinian aid program, during the three-day visit beginning Aug. 28.

The Israeli government will discuss strengthening the mission of the U.N. interim force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), following a series of skirmishes along the U.N.-monitored demarcation line between Israel and Lebanon.

The visit comes as diplomatic efforts to revive Israeli-Palestinian peace talks appear deadlocked.