(NewsNation) — Secretary of State Antony Blinken will travel to Israel on August 17 to continue intensive diplomatic efforts to conclude the agreement for a cease-fire and release of hostages and detainees.

Blinken intends to reach an accord through the bridging proposal presented Friday by the United States with support from Egypt and Qatar.

This proposal would achieve a cease-fire in Gaza, secure the release of all hostages, ensure humanitarian assistance is distributed throughout Gaza and create the conditions for broader regional stability.

Blinken will underscore the critical need for all parties in the region to avoid escalation or any other actions that could undermine the ability to finalize an agreement.

Despite efforts from the United States, Qatar and Egypt, ex-Army officer Doug Ollivant isn’t overly optimistic about the likelihood of an end to the conflict.

“I can see a world in which we have some type of hostage exchange, even though there’s not a cease-fire. I remain deeply pessimistic about the possibility of a cease-fire, at least in the short term,” Ollivant told “NewsNation Now.”

“I don’t see any indication that the Israelis and Hamas, the two parties that are actually in the fight, either really want a cease-fire,” Ollivant added. “And even if they do want a cease-fire, that’s wonderful at the theoretical level, then there’s all the devils in the details.

“Can you get to a mutually agreed set of conditions to implement a cease-fire, assuming both sides want it? I’m just not sure we’re there yet.”