US officials believe parties are getting closer to clinching a ceasefire deal in Gaza, White House spokesman John Kirby has said in an interview with , according to . “We believe — and the Israelis have said this — that we’re getting closer, and no doubt about it, we believe that, but we also are cautious in our optimism,” Kirby said. “We’ve been in this position before where we weren’t able to get it over the finish line.” Kirby did not respond when asked if Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was travelling to Cairo for talks.