US Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed skepticism on Monday regarding “Israeli” assertions of reducing military operations in Gaza, despite claims of a shift to a lower intensity phase.

"We've heard the Israelis talk about a significant downshift in their operations in Gaza. It remains to be seen," Blinken stated during an event hosted by the Brookings Institute in Washington DC.

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“Israeli” officials indicated a scaling down of their offensive on Gaza in recent weeks, even as the military continues to carry out intense bombardments, resulting in a high toll of civilian casualties.

The Palestinian health ministry reported on Tuesday that the death toll in Gaza now reached at least 37,925 and 87,141 injured.

Last month, “Israeli” Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi stated that “Israel” was nearing the accomplishment of its military goals in Rafah, a southern Gaza border city, and was preparing to reduce the intensity of its operations.

"We are clearly approaching the point where we can say we have dismantled the Rafah Brigade," Halevi affirmed.

Blinken's assessment, casting doubt on “Israel's” purported reduction of military activities, holds significant implications, particularly in the context of regional tensions involving Iran and Hezbollah, engaged in an escalating cross-border offensive with “Israel.”

Efforts to secure a ceasefire, proposed by US President Joe Biden in May, have stalled amid differing interpretations from each side.

While the US asserts the proposal guarantees a permanent end to hostilities in Gaza, “Israel” argues it facilitates the complete dismantling of Hamas's military and administrative capacities.

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Blinken reiterated that Hamas's leader in Gaza, Yahya Sinwar, bears responsibility for rejecting Biden's proposal.

"One way or another, the conclusion of this conflict cannot leave Gaza in a vacuum," Blinken emphasized.