US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said now is "probably the best, maybe the last opportunity" to secure a ceasefire and hostage release deal in Gaza. Mr Blinken made his comments during a meeting with Israeli President Isaac Herzog on Monday during his ninth trip to the region since the war began in October. The US has expressed optimism about a deal since talks resumed in Doha last week, but that level of optimism is not shared by the Israeli leadership or Hamas. Each accuses the other of obstinate cynicism, and blocking a deal.
