On Sunday, President Joe Biden had a discussion with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu while U.S. officials are working fervently to finalize a hostage and cease-fire agreement concerning Gaza before Biden’s term ends on January 20.

The conversation focused on ongoing negotiations aimed at stopping the violence in Gaza and securing the release of the 98 hostages still held, as confirmed by the White House.

Netanyahu informed Biden about updates and the directions he has given his elite security team currently in Doha to facilitate the hostage negotiations, according to a statement from Netanyahu.

Biden’s national security advisor, Jake Sullivan, mentioned on CNN’s “State of the Union” earlier on Sunday that the involved parties were “very, very close” to finalizing an agreement, although there were still hurdles to overcome.

Sullivan noted that Biden receives daily briefings on the negotiations happening in Doha, where officials from both Israel and Palestine have acknowledged some progress since Thursday in their indirect discussions with Hamas.

“We are committed to making the most of the days left in office to achieve this,” said Sullivan, emphasizing that they are not letting up in their efforts.

He mentioned there is still potential for an agreement to be reached before Biden exits, but also acknowledged that “Hamas may continue to be unyielding.”

The conflict intensified in Gaza following Hamas militants’ incursions into Israel in October 2023, which resulted in the deaths of 1,200 individuals and the abduction of over 250 hostages, based on Israeli estimates.

Since then, Palestinian health officials report that more than 46,000 people have lost their lives in Gaza, with the area largely devastated and facing a humanitarian crisis, leaving most residents displaced.

Vice President-elect JD Vance shared on “Fox News Sunday” in an interview recorded on Saturday that he anticipates a deal regarding the release of U.S. hostages in the region may be revealed in the last few days of the Biden administration.

President-elect Donald Trump, a firm supporter of Israel, has expressed strong support for Netanyahu’s goal to dismantle Hamas. However, he has not disclosed how he plans to bring about peace in the Middle East.