After repeat­ed promis­es from Biden admin­is­tra­tion that a cease-fire is close, war in Mid­dle East is esca­lat­ing

After months of pub­lic opti­mism about the prospects of a cease­fire, Biden admin­is­tra­tion offi­cials have soured on the prospects of an end to the war between Israel and Hamas. “We aren’t any clos­er to that now than we were even a week ago,” Nation­al Secu­ri­ty Coun­cil spokesman John Kir­by admit­ted to reporters on Wednes­day. He called the prospects of a com­plet­ed deal “daunt­ing.” “No deal is immi­nent,” one U.S. offi­cial told The Wall Street Jour­nal. ” …