As part of the American mediation efforts between Israel and Hamas, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Middle East Affairs, Barbara Leaf, will arrive this week in Israel, the West Bank, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Egypt, Jordan and Italy. According to the State Department announcement, Leaf will meet with government officials to discuss further diplomatic efforts to obtain a cease-fire agreement, ensure the release of all the hostages, distribution of humanitarian aid throughout Gaza, and security and peace agreements the "day after."