He is expected to visit Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Qatar, Israel and the West Bank over the next five days.

Ahead of his trip, Blinken had stressed that the humanitarian situation in Gaza must be “urgently” addressed. Local and international aid groups have repeatedly called for a ceasefire amid the devastating impact of Israel’s bombardment on the besieged Palestinian enclave.

Blinken's visit follows US air strikes against Iran-backed forces in Iraq, Syria and Yemen - following an attack on a US base in Jordan that had killed three US soldiers.

There are also reports of a rift with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who appears at odds with the United States over the future of Gaza after the war.