Top US diplomat Antony Blinken urged Hamas to accept a truce in the Gaza Strip, after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to send troops into its far southern city of Rafah, AFP reports.

Washington has heightened pressure on all sides to reach a ceasefire — a message pushed by Blinken, who was on his seventh regional tour since the Gaza crisis broke out in October.

“Even in these very difficult times we are determined to get a ceasefire that brings the hostages home — and to get it now,” Blinken said as he met Israeli President Isaac Herzog in Tel Aviv.

“And the only reason that that wouldn’t be achieved is because of Hamas.” Herzog’s role is largely ceremonial but later Blinken was due to meet the hawkish Netanyahu to press US calls for a truce, more aid into Gaza and better protection for civilians.