Senior Biden administration officials have said they believe a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas could be concluded before Donald Trump’s inauguration next week, while the Israeli government has said there has been progress in the talks. Israel and Hamas have been holding indirect talks for more than a year, mediated by Qatar, the US and Egypt. They have previously stalled over issues including the exchange of hostages for Palestinians held in Israeli jails, whether a ceasefire would be permanent and the extent of the withdrawal of Israeli troops