US President Donald Trump says a deal to end the war in Gaza is "very close" as his envoys join talks in Egypt to try to seal a ceasefire and hostage-release agreement.

With Mr Trump's 20-point plan appearing closer than any previous bid to halt the two-year-old conflict, delegations upgraded their presence at the indirect talks, launched on Monday in the Egyptian resort town of Sharm el-Sheikh.

Mr Trump offered an upbeat assessment, saying a deal was almost done and that he may travel to Egypt this weekend, possibly leaving on Saturday, if an agreement is reached.

He later clarified the trip would likely be before or just after hostages in Gaza were released.

"I was just given a note by the secretary of state saying that we're very close to a deal in the Middle East, and they're going

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