Talks in Cairo on a reaching ceasefire deal in the Gaza Strip have made progress, the White House said in a statement Friday – cited by Agence France-Presse (AFP).

"There has been progress made. We need now for both sides to come together and work towards implementation," National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said, describing talks Thursday as preliminary in nature ahead of more in-depth discussions.

Kirby also confirmed that CIA chief William Burns was taking part in the talks.