U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is actively working to establish a ceasefire in Gaza amidst ongoing conflict, which he described as possibly 'the last opportunity' for peace.

As part of mediators' proposals aimed at achieving a ceasefire with Hamas, Israel has agreed to withdraw its Defense Forces from Gaza.

This visit marks Blinken's ninth trip to the region since the conflict began, reflecting heightened concerns about a potential wider regional war.

The conflict, which erupted on October 7, 2023, has resulted in approximately 40,000 deaths in Gaza and the abduction of around 250 hostages by Hamas.

Despite the announcement of a new ceasefire proposal, detailed discussions on implementation are still necessary, underscoring the urgency for an agreement.

However, there is little indication that a ceasefire is any closer than before Blinken's arrival in Israel, as tensions remain high.

Even with a potential ceasefire, regional tensions are expected to persist due to ongoing threats from Iran and Hezbollah.

Bar-Yaacov emphasized the need for the U.S. to exert serious leverage on Israel and for Qatar to influence Hamas to facilitate a deal.

Hamas criticized the latest proposal, claiming it contradicts previous agreements and accused the U.S. of supporting new Israeli conditions.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al Sisi has called for diplomacy to prevail and emphasized the need to prioritize the cessation of bloodshed.

Blinken clarified that the U.S. does not support a long-term Israeli occupation of Gaza, noting that recent negotiations outlined a timeline for the withdrawal of Israeli forces.

A senior U.S. official criticized Netanyahu's comments about not withdrawing as unconstructive, highlighting the complexities of the negotiations.