Blinken returns to Middle East as ceasefire proposal hangs in balance

US secretary of state Antony Blinken is undertaking a fresh round of diplomacy to secure a ceasefire in Gaza (AP)

US secretary of state Antony Blinken has returned to the Middle East as a proposed Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal hangs in the balance after the dramatic rescue of four Israeli hostages and turmoil in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government.

With no firm response yet from Hamas to the proposal received 10 days ago, Mr Blinken started his eighth visit to the region since the conflict began in October.