The White House sought to downplay strong criticism levelled at Israel by President Joe Biden and a senior national security official. Biden described Israel’s war in Gaza as “over the top” and said innocent people’s suffering has “got to stop.”Hamas official truce discussions that took place in Egypt were “positive and good.” Negotiations were held along with Egyptian and Qatari mediators on a new Gaza ceasefire and hostage exchange “The delegation left Cairo tonight February 9 and is awaiting Israel’s response,” a Hamas official told AFP news agency on condition of anonymity. US Secretary of State said a lot of work remains but added he still saw “space for agreement to be reached” to halt the fighting.