Israel and Hamas are still close to a ceasefire deal, the White House has insisted despite growing fears of a regional war following the assassination of a key Hamas leader, AFP reports.

“We are as close as we think we have ever been” to a deal for a Gaza ceasefire and the release of hostages held by Hamas, National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters.

“We’re involved in some pretty intense diplomacy here across the region,” Kirby said.

He added that he was “not going to talk about intelligence assessments” of when, or whether, Iran and its Lebanese ally Hezbollah might attack Israel.