U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken described on Monday the recent diplomatic efforts by Washington to reach a ceasefire agreement in Gaza as "perhaps the best opportunity, and possibly the last opportunity," urging all parties to reach an agreement.

Marathon talks aimed at reaching a ceasefire, which have been ongoing for months, are set to continue this week in Cairo, following a two-day meeting in Doha last week.

Blinken will intensify U.S. diplomatic pressure to ensure that negotiators make breakthroughs later this week after the United States last week presented proposals to bridge the gaps between the warring parties, which intermediary countries believe will close the gaps between the warring sides.

Blinken told reporters before his meeting with Israeli President Isaac Herzog: "This is a critical moment, and perhaps the best opportunity, and possibly the last opportunity to bring the hostages home, reach a ceasefire, and put everyone on a better path towards lasting peace and security."

He added: "I am here as part of an intensive diplomatic effort at the direction of President Biden to try to reach a final agreement and ultimately across the borders... It is time for everyone to say yes and not look for any excuses to say no."

So far, the intermediary countries - Qatar, the United States, and Egypt - have failed to narrow the differences enough to reach an agreement amid months of intermittent negotiations, and violence has continued unabated in Gaza on Sunday.

Hours after Blinken's arrival, Hamas said it holds Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responsible for "frustrating the mediators' efforts," delaying an agreement, and subjecting the Israeli hostages in Gaza to the same aggression faced by the Palestinians.

Concerns of a wider conflict

The urgent need for a ceasefire agreement has increased amid fears of escalation throughout the wider region. Iran has threatened to respond to Israel following the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniya in Tehran on July 31.

The top American diplomat also reiterated the U.S. warning against further escalation.

He said: "It's also time to ensure that no one takes any steps that could disrupt this process, so we are working to make sure there is no escalation, and no provocations."

The war erupted on October 7 when fighters from Hamas attacked Israel, killing around 1,200 people and capturing about 250 hostages, according to Israeli statistics.

The subsequent Israeli military campaign has resulted in the deaths of more than 40,000 Palestinians, mostly civilians, according to Palestinian health authorities, and has turned large parts of Gaza into rubble.