US President Joe Biden on Thursday said that real progress was being made towards a Gaza deal as negotiators try to reach a ceasefire accord between Israel and Hamas.
Biden is reportedly pushing hard for a ceasefire agreement to be reached during his last days in office.
"We're making some real progress, I met with negotiators today," Biden told reporters at the White House.
"I'm still hopeful that we will be able to have a prisoner exchange. Hamas is the one getting in the way of that exchange right now, but I think we may be able to get that done, we need to get it done," he added.
Biden also said he spoke to Lebanon's new president Joseph Aoun earlier. "He's a first rate guy... They're also working very hard."
Collaboration with the transition team
Reports also indicate that the Biden administration is working together with President-elect Donald Trump and his team to achieve a deal before Trump is inaugurated on January 20.