US President Joe Biden told reporters that a deal to end fighting in Gaza was “much, much closer” after two days of ceasefire talks in Qatar, Al Jazeera reports.

But he also cautioned that “we’re not there yet”, and warned all parties in the Middle East to not do anything to undermine the talks at this crucial stage.

Biden also announced that US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will be travelling to the Middle East to continue the diplomatic push to seal a ceasefire deal.

Qatari, Egyptian and US ceasefire mediators are expected to resume talks next week with the hope of concluding an agreement in Cairo.