Joe Biden has said he is “actively working” on a deal for a six-week ceasefire in Gaza.

The US president declared that  “the key elements of the deal are on the table” but admitted  there are “gaps that remain”. He welcomed Jordan’s King Abdullah II to the White House Monday for talks on how to end the months-long war and plan for what comes afterward.

Mr Biden declared that  “every innocent life lost in Gaza is a tragedy” amid mounting tension between the US and Israel over their expected offensive in Rafah.

William J. Burns, the CIA chief, is due to travel to Cairo for hostage talks along with senior officials from the U.S., Egypt, Israel and Qatar, according to multiple reports.

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