WASHINGTON, Jan 13 (MENA) - US President Joe Biden said he is looking forward to speaking with President Abdel Fattah El Sisi soon to secure a Gaza ceasefire deal that would include the release of hostages and a "surge" of aid to Palestinians.

"I spoke to [Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani] today; I look forward to speaking with [Egyptian President El Sisi] soon, pressing hard to close this deal," Biden added in his final foreign policy address at the State Department on Monday.

"We are pressing hard" to close the deal, said the US leader, a week before President-elect Donald Trump will take office.

"We're on the brink of the proposal that I laid out in detail months ago, finally coming to fruition," Biden said amid growing optimism from Washington about ceasefire negotiations in the Middle East. (MENA)

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