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US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has arrived in Israel in his latest effort to push for a ceasefire and hostage-release deal in Gaza.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
His ninth trip to the region since the war began in October comes days after the US presented a modified proposal aimed at bridging long-standing gaps between the two sides.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The US has expressed optimism about a deal since talks resumed in Doha last week, but Hamas says suggestions of progress are an “illusion”.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Differences are said to include whether Israeli troops will be required to withdraw fully from the Gaza Strip, as Hamas insists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mr Blinken will attempt to maintain pressure on the Israeli leader when they meet on Monday – he will say that now is the moment to drop any more attempts to squeeze out last concessions and take a deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On the way here one senior US official was using phrases including a critical moment and an inflection point.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Americans hope they can get this over the finish line perhaps as soon as this time next week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But that level of optimism is not shared by the Israeli leadership or Hamas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Each accuses the other of obstinate cynicism, and blocking a deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In a statement on Sunday, Hamas accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of putting “obstacles” in the way of an agreement and “setting new conditions and demands” with the aim of “prolonging the war”.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It added it holds him “fully responsible” for thwarting mediators’ efforts and “obstructing an agreement”.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A Hamas source earliertold Saudi media that the proposals include the IDF maintaining a reduced presence along the Philadelphi Corridor, a narrow strip of land along Gaza\u2019s southern border with Egypt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n