Rhino: Agencies – US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is due to arrive in Israel on Sunday as part of Washington’s intensive diplomatic efforts to reach a ceasefire in Gaza that would end the ten-month war between Israel and the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas).

Blinken’s tenth visit to the region since the war began in October last year comes days after the US put forward proposals to resolve the crisis in Gaza that it and mediators Qatar and Egypt believe will bridge the gaps between the warring parties.

US officials are signaling new optimism that a deal can be finalized, but also cautioned that much work remains to be done.

In Israel, Blinken is expected to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other senior officials.