Biden says new Gaza hostage deal not expected soon

MILWAUKEE (Reuters) – U.S. President Joe Biden said on Wednesday he did not expect an Israel-Hamas deal for the release of hostages held in Gaza to be struck soon.

“We’re pushing,” Biden told reporters during a trip to Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Efforts are under way to try to arrange for the release of more hostages, with the heads of the U.S. CIA, Israel’s Mossad and Qatar’s prime minister expected to meet and discuss the issue.

(Reporting by Steve Holland; writing by Paul Grant; editing by Rami Ayyub)