Citing US officials, the major obstacles facing ceasefire negotiations in Gaza have raised doubts within the White House about the possibility of ending the war before the end of President Joe Biden's term.

A senior US official said it was unclear whether using US influence on Israel, such as withholding arms, would affect a government that includes far-right figures, such as National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich.

CNN also quoted a senior Democratic source as saying that Biden has become "obsessed" with the hostage issue and the ceasefire in Gaza recently.

For his part, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed his pessimism about the imminent conclusion of an agreement, and stressed the need for Israeli forces to remain in southwestern Gaza despite international pressure to withdraw.

Mass protests in Israel

Meanwhile, Israel is witnessing widespread protests against the Netanyahu government for its failure to secure the release of detainees in Gaza, including Americans.

Biden has shown a personal interest in the issue, having made contacts with the leaders of Egypt and Qatar with the aim of making progress in the negotiations. However, after the killing of the six hostages in Gaza, whose bodies were announced to have been found last week, and which Washington and Tel Aviv accused Hamas of being responsible for despite its categorical denial, American doubts have increased regarding what Washington considers “Hamas’s willingness to engage seriously in the talks.”

Despite Biden's efforts to push the negotiations forward, the assassination of Hamas political bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran further complicated the situation and raised questions about the future of the negotiations.