US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said on Thursday after meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the parties were close to concluding a prisoner exchange deal.

He also said: "I got the impression from my meeting with Netanyahu that the prime minister wants to close the deal. We are close. The last gaps must be filled in order to reach an agreement."

Jake Sullivan, who is visiting Israel, said at a news conference that Netanyahu told him he was interested in reaching an agreement to release the hostages and a ceasefire in Gaza.

A senior Israeli official confirmed the remarks, but Biden’s top adviser made clear that there were still differences to bridge in order to reach an agreement.

In addition, Sullivan added that the White House believes that three hostages with American citizenship are still alive in Gaza.

A senior Israeli official added about the meeting that "Prime Minister Netanyahu told White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan that Israel is prepared to implement the outlines of the hostage deal immediately and is waiting to see if Hamas will agree and give the green light to the deal."