The White House has said it does not see an escalation of conflict as inevitable following the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh and that the US is still working to reach a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, Reuters reports.

Speaking at a daily briefing, White House national security spokesperson John Kirby said it was too early to say whether the latest events in the Middle East would affect prospects for a ceasefire agreement.

He said US President Joe Biden had been briefed on the developments in the region.