Shifting our focus overseas now Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made a

surprise visit to Gaza today. For that and for all of the other days headlines we

turn now to Stephanie Sigh in our Washington studio.

Stephanie?

Thanks, Amin, and Jeff.

Just days ahead of his high stakes trip to Washington next week,

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu met with his IDF troops in Rafa in southern Gaza.

The city had been a vital crossing point for aid into Gaza, but Israeli forces invaded

Rafa in early May in their effort to further destroy Hamas's military power, driving out many of the 2 million

Palestinians who had sought shelter there.

Netanyahu said Israeli control of the crossing is essential for ongoing hostage negotiations.

I love it's a way she's feeling.

The military pressure they are exerting right here at Hamas's throat helps us along with the firm insistence on our just

demands to promote the hostage deal. This double pressure does not delay the

deal, it promotes it. Hours earlier in Jerusalem,

Israel's far-right national security minister

made a notable visit of his own.

Itemar Ben Gvere walked through the Al-Axa compound sacred to both Jews and Muslims.

Palestinian officials condemned the visit calling it a provocative intrusion.

It comes a day after Israeli negotiators landed in Cairo to continue work on moving peace talks forward.

A Russian court says closing arguments in the trial of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gerskovic will take place tomorrow.

It's a sign that the legal proceedings against the 32-year-old are moving quickly.

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