White House security advisor aims to have Gaza ceasefire this month

US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan has met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and expressed intention to step up efforts and achieve a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas this month.

The two held talks in Israel on Thursday. They exchanged views on negotiations between Israel and Hamas on a ceasefire and the release of hostages being held in the Gaza Strip.

Sullivan later told reporters that he met Netanyahu and other Israeli officials in an attempt to bring them closer to an agreement, and got the sense from Netanyahu that he was ready to make a deal.

Sullivan also mentioned a planned visit to Qatar and Egypt, and said his goal is to get the parties involved to close the deal this month.