Some US officials believe that Hamas may be willing to accept a ceasefire deal that Israel could support, according to The New York Times. The report suggests that Hamas leaders are discussing the possibility of allowing Israel to maintain a temporary presence on the border area between Egypt and Gaza. The death of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar has reportedly caused a shift in the group's thinking, as it became clear that Iran and Hezbollah were not joining the fight against Israel. However, decision-making within Hamas is complicated by the lack of a leader to replace Sinwar. US officials also believe that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is waiting for the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump before making any decisions on a deal with Hamas.