An agreement to halt the 14-month-old conflict in Gaza and free hostages held in the Palestinian enclave could be signed in the coming days with talks in Cairo making progress, reports according to sources briefed on the meeting. The US administration, joined by mediators from Egypt and Qatar, has made intensive efforts in recent days to advance the talks before President Joe Biden leaves office next month. The sources said a ceasefire deal could be days away that would stop the fighting and return hostages held by Hamas in Gaza in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails.