Speaking to reporters on his way from Tel Aviv to Riyadh on the next stage of his Middle East visit, Reuters reports Blinken urged Israel on Wednesday to use the opportunity created by its success in dismantling Hamas’ capacity in Gaza and the death of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar to reach a longer-term solution in the conflict.

Reuters quoted Blinken as saying, “Now is the time to turn those successes into an enduring strategic success. There are two things left to do: get the hostages home and bring the war to an end with an understanding of what will follow.”

A visiting US top diplomat said that Israel should seize the "incredible opportunity" to normalise relations with Saudi Arabia, a process halted by the war on Gaza.

"There remains, despite everything that's happened, an incredible opportunity in this region to move in a different direction," he said before leaving Tel Aviv for Riyadh, adding: "Saudi Arabia would be right at the heart of that, and that includes potentially normalisation of relations with Israel."

Blinken said he believed that Israel had made progress in the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza, but that more was needed.

The top US diplomat added that his country is working to get a clear understanding of what Israel plans for the governance of Gaza going forward. He said it was necessary to have concrete plans for the way ahead.

Blinken also said that Israel’s expected attack on Iran needed to be done in a way that did not create greater escalation.

Earlier this week the FBI launched an investigation into the unauthorised release of classified documents describing Israel’s preparation for a potential attack on Iran.

Tehran launched its attack on 1 October in retaliation for a series of attacks against Iran and assassinations of Iranian commander, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in Beirut, and Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh in Teheran.

Displaced Palestinians fleeing Israeli military operations in Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza strip walk along the Salah al-Din main road in eastern Gaza City making their way to the city centre. AFP