JERUSALEM. U.S. President Joe Biden indicated that a potential cease-fire in Gaza might be on the horizon, revealing that Israel has agreed to halt its offensive during the upcoming Muslim holy month of Ramadan if a deal is struck to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas.

Despite this positive signal, both Israel and Hamas downplayed the possibility of an imminent breakthrough on Tuesday.

The conflict, sparked by Hamas’ attack on southern Israel on Oct. 7, has led to a devastating toll in Gaza, with Israel’s air, sea, and ground campaign resulting in tens of thousands of casualties, widespread destruction, and the displacement of 80% of the enclave’s population, according to the United Nations.

Negotiations aimed at halting the violence have gained momentum recently, with representatives from the United States, Egypt, and Qatar working to broker a cease-fire. The proposed deal would involve the release of some of the hostages held by Hamas, a six-week pause in hostilities, and an increase in aid deliveries to Gaza.

With the start of Ramadan expected around March 10, there is a sense of urgency to reach a resolution before then, as tensions often escalate during the holy month.

“Ramadan’s coming up and there has been an agreement by the Israelis that they would not engage in activities during Ramadan as well, in order to give us time to get all the hostages out,” Biden stated during an appearance on NBC’s “Late Night With Seth Meyers,” recorded on Monday.

However, Biden’s remarks were met with surprise by Israeli officials, who asserted that they were not made in coordination with the country’s leadership. Meanwhile, a Hamas official indicated that the group remained steadfast in its demands and suggested that optimism about a deal was premature.

Despite the challenges, there are signs of optimism from some quarters. Majed al-Ansari, a spokesperson for Qatar’s Foreign Ministry, expressed a positive outlook on the talks during a news conference in Doha on Tuesday.

According to a senior official from Egypt, the draft deal includes provisions for the release of up to 40 women and older hostages in exchange for around 300 Palestinian prisoners. Additionally, a proposed six-week pause in fighting would facilitate the delivery of much-needed aid into Gaza.

While Biden has shown unwavering support for Israel throughout the conflict, he also left open the possibility of an Israeli ground offensive in the city of Rafah, located in southern Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has described such an operation as inevitable, with the military submitting operational and evacuation plans for Cabinet approval.

Despite the challenges ahead, there remains hope for a resolution to the conflict as international efforts intensify to broker a cease-fire and address the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza.

The ongoing conflict in Gaza has exacted a heavy toll, with more than 29,700 casualties reported, according to the Health Ministry in Hamas-run Gaza. The plight of the hostages, including many women and children, adds urgency to the need for a swift resolution to the crisis.

Approximately 130 hostages are still in Gaza, with Israel syas around a quarter of them are dead.

Hamas: Biden comments on ceasefire are ‘premature’

In a separate report by Reuters, a Hamas official has told that US president Joe Biden’s words about a halt to fighting in Gaza are premature, and do not match the situation on the ground.

The official told the new agency there were still “big gaps that need to be bridged”.