The White House is hoping to see a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas concluded before Joe Biden leaves office, Antony Blinken has said. The US Secretary of State’s comments, which come ahead of Donald Trump’s inauguration on Jan 20, were made during a press conference as he was quizzed on renewed efforts to reach a deal.

Hamas has told Reuters news agency that it has approved a list of 34 captives presented by Israel, to be exchanged in a ceasefire deal.

The deal would secure release of a third of the approximately 100 hostages who remain in Gaza, including two dual U.S.-Israeli nationals. In return, Israel would release some Palestinian prisoners.