Rubio says US hopeful on securing Gaza deal

KUALA LUMPUR - Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Thursday that the US is hopeful on securing a ceasefire deal in Gaza and that US envoy Steve Witkoff is optimistic that proximity talks would be held soon.

"I think we're closer, and I think perhaps we're closer than we've been in quite a while," Rubio told reporters at the ASEAN summit in Malaysia. He said he spoke with Witkoff on Wednesday night.