High-level Biden administration envoys made a diplomatic visit to the Middle East on Thursday, aiming for a last effort at diplomacy ahead of the U.S. elections, although quick cease-fire agreements were not anticipated.

As fighting continues between Israel and Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon, C.I.A. Director William J. Burns, a leading American envoy, met with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi in Cairo. Meanwhile, Brett McGurk, President Biden’s Middle East coordinator, and Amos Hochstein, his representative on the Hezbollah issue, met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.

The discussions focused on reducing tensions in Gaza and Lebanon, as stated by the involved governments. However, with the U.S. election approaching and limited willingness to compromise from all parties, significant progress on cease-fire negotiations appears unlikely in the near term.

According to officials familiar with Israeli internal deliberations, Netanyahu is expected to hold off on any diplomatic commitments until after the U.S. election results are known. Hamas has also dismissed temporary truce offers, indicating only a full end to hostilities would be acceptable.

In Cairo, discussions between Burns and el-Sisi addressed ways to advance cease-fire talks and potential exchanges of hostages held in Gaza for Palestinian detainees in Israel, according to a statement from the Egyptian president’s office. About 100 hostages from the October attack in Israel remain in Gaza, with around two-thirds thought to still be alive.

Earlier in the week, possible temporary cease-fire options were discussed by officials from Israel, the U.S., Egypt, and Qatar. These initial proposals included the return of a small group of hostages in exchange for a pause in fighting.

Burns’s discussions reportedly honed in on these scaled-down ideas, which U.S. officials hope could eventually bring both sides back to negotiations after prolonged standstills.

Proposals under discussion include one version involving a release of female hostages and male hostages over 50, in return for certain Palestinian prisoners. This arrangement would involve a temporary pause in fighting, although likely shorter than the six-week period previously proposed by negotiators.

Another proposal discussed involves Hamas releasing four hostages over roughly ten days.

Following these meetings, Burns, McGurk, and Hochstein left the region. A U.S. official stated that the discussions in Israel covered potential cease-fires in Lebanon, concerns about Iran, hostilities in Gaza, and securing hostage releases.

Despite these efforts, Washington and regional officials are doubtful that Hamas will accept any temporary deals. Hamas has consistently expressed that only a complete end to the conflict would be considered, a point reiterated by spokesperson Taher el-Nunu on Thursday.

Some U.S. officials believe that both Hamas and Israeli officials may find delay advantageous. The ongoing conflict with Hezbollah, which escalated after the Lebanon-based group launched attacks on Israeli targets in support of Hamas, has intensified, with Israel extending its military operations within Lebanon.

The conflict has expanded substantially, with Israel targeting areas in Lebanon far beyond the border, and cross-border strikes have resulted in significant displacements in both Israel and Lebanon.

After Netanyahu’s meeting with U.S. representatives, his office emphasized Israel’s commitment to addressing the Hezbollah threat from Lebanon to ensure residents’ safety. Gaza was notably omitted from the statement.

On Wednesday, a cease-fire draft regarding Hezbollah was circulated in Israeli media. However, a U.S. National Security Council spokesperson advised caution, noting these reports did not represent the actual negotiation status.

The draft included a potential Hezbollah withdrawal from the Israel-Lebanon border per a 2006 U.N. Security Council resolution, which had not been enforced, suggesting that Lebanese forces could fill the gap left by Hezbollah. Analysts, however, believe Hezbollah is unlikely to agree to this, suggesting limited chances for its success.

“It’s too early to discuss these points, and I think it won’t be accepted by Hezbollah,” said Kassem Kassir, an analyst with connections to the group.nd I think it won’t be accepted by Hezbollah,” said Kassem Kassir, an analyst close to Hezbollah.