relationships and a role to play here, to return to peace in the region. >> and are you optimistic that it would work? the former vice president, dick cheney, was on with jake tapper today here on cnn, and jake asked him whether he thinks a peace agreement is possible. and i don't want to quote him, i want you to hear what he said, because it was pretty direct. here it is. >> i don't think you can negotiate a settlement with hamas. i think they're absolutely sworn to fight to the death for the destruction of israel. >> is that true? >> well, the united states doesn't talk to hamas, but, other countries in the region do. and there are a range of countries, in the arab world, in the arab community, who are making a strong case, putting pressure on hamas. we remain engaged with them. you saw the proposal the egyptians put out there. that remains on the table. and so we're hopeful we can return to a discussion about a cease-fire. >> now, the spokesperson for hamas said last night, the cease-fire was a joke, and indeed, hamas never observed it. how do you negotiate with people who talk that way? they didn't even take a second