US President Joe Biden says he hopes to have a ceasefire in the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza by next week Monday.
His comments come amid reports of some progress in indirect negotiations involving Israeli and Hamas officials.
It would involve aid deliveries to Gaza and the release of more hostages taken during the 7th October Hamas attacks.
Israel has not commented and Hamas officials have indicated the two sides are not as close to a ceasefire deal as Biden suggested.
Qatar, which has been mediating in the talks alongside Egypt, said they were “pushing hard” for a deal and felt “optimistic”, but had nothing to announce.