The US’s ambassador to Israel says hostage talks have not broken down and it would be a “mistake” to think that.

Israeli newspaper Haaretz cited Jack Lew as saying “there are still conversations going on, there is still back and forth, the differences are being narrowed”.

He was speaking at the Institute for National Security Studies conference in Tel Aviv.

Four days of talks in Cairo this week, mediated by Qatar and Egypt and aimed at securing a ceasefire deal before Ramadan, appeared to have stalled with both sides unable to come to an agreement on key sticking points.

Hamas also said earlier that its delegation had left Cairo amid the ongoing negotiations.

Biden to announce temporary aid port on Gaza’s coast

Joe Biden will announce today plans for the US military to help establish a temporary port on the Gaza coast for more humanitarian aid, according to administration officials.

The officials, speaking ahead of the State of the Union, told AP that a pier will be built to allow more shipments of food, medicine and other essential items – but it will take weeks to complete.

The operation will not require American troops on the ground, with one official noting the military has “unique capabilities” and can do things from “just offshore.”

The officials did not provide details about how the pier would be built. 

More details emerging on Gaza port plan

We’re receiving more details on US plans to help establish a temporary aid port on Gaza’s coast.

It will provide capacity for hundreds of additional truckloads each day, administration officials have told our partner network NBC News.

Shipments will come via Cyprus enabled by the US military and a coalition of partners and allies, they said. 

Earlier this week, EU officials were in Cyprus to discuss the establishment of a maritime aid corridor with a platform at Larnaca.

Israeli officials could screen the goods at the city’s port, the US officials said.

They said the Gaza pier will take a number of weeks to plan and execute.

The US forces required are either already in the region or will begin to move there soon. They will remain offshore.