'Very close' to a ceasefire deal in Gaza, Trump says

Responding to a report from Axios on Wednesday that there were "secret talks" between the US, Israel, and Qatar at the White House which may lead to a breakthrough in Gaza ceasefire talks, Trump told reporters that they are "very close" to an agreement. 

Axios said the discussions, which took place on Tuesday, "honed in on the key remaining sticking point" that special envoy for Peace Missions Steve Witkoff had referenced in earlier comments. He said three out of four issues had been resolved. 

The remaining issue, according to Axios' sources, is to determine which lines the Israeli forces would withdraw to during a ceasefire in Gaza. 

"Both sources said Witkoff and the Qatari official made it clear to [Israeli Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron] Dermer that the map proposed by Israel - which involves a far more narrow redeployment than the one the IDF carried out during the previous ceasefire - is a non-starter," Axios reported.