US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said that now is "probably the best chance, maybe the last" to secure a ceasefire and deal to release the hostages in Gaza.

Blinken made the 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 United States has expressed optimism for a deal since talks resumed in Doha last week, but Hamas says suggestions of progress are an "illusion", with differences said to include whether Israeli troops will be required to withdraw completely from Gaza, as Hamas insists.

Blinken is expected to keep up the pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu when they meet later on Monday.

"We are working to ensure that there is no escalation, no provocation, no actions that could in any way distract us from concluding this agreement, or for that matter, escalation of conflict in other countries and in a greater intensity," Blinken said during his meeting with Herzog.

"This is my ninth visit since October 7, to Israel, to the Middle East, and this is a decisive moment, perhaps the best, perhaps the last opportunity to take the hostages home, to achieve a ceasefire and to put everyone on a better path to lasting peace and security."

The current negotiations are based on a modified proposal put forward by the US, which aims to bridge long-standing gaps between Israel and Hamas.

The Americans hope they can get the deal across the finish line perhaps as soon as this time next week.

But this level of optimism is not even from the Israeli leadership or Hamas.

Each accuses the other of stubborn cynicism and blocking a deal.

In a statement on Sunday, Hamas accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of putting "obstacles" in the way of an agreement and "imposing new conditions and demands" in order to "prolong the war".

Hamas added that it holds him "fully responsible" for thwarting the mediators' efforts and "blocking an agreement."

A Hamas source earlier told Saudi media that the proposals include maintaining a reduced Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) presence along the Philadelphia Corridor, a narrow strip of land along Gaza's southern border with Egypt.

But Israeli sources have told the Times of Israel that other procedures along the border could offset an Israeli withdrawal from the area in the first phase of the deal.

The Israeli military launched a campaign in Gaza to destroy Hamas in response to an unprecedented attack in southern Israel on October 7, during which around 1200 people were killed and 251 were taken hostage.

More than 40,000 people have been killed in Gaza since then, according to the Hamas territory's health ministry.

A ceasefire deal agreed in November saw Hamas release 105 hostages in exchange for a week-long ceasefire and the release of some 240 Palestinian prisoners in Israeli prisons. Israel says 111 hostages are still being held, 39 of whom are presumed dead.

Earlier this week, US President Joe Biden said "we are closer than ever" to a deal.

But the previous optimism expressed during months of talks has turned out to be unfounded./BBC/