Israel agrees to Ramadan ceasefire to get hostages back, Biden

The Israeli government has decided not to engage in military activities during the holy Muslim month of Ramadan to free the hostages held by the radical Palestinian movement Hamas, US President Joe Biden told NBC.

 

"First of all, the hostages being held must be released," Biden pointed out, adding that "there’s 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." "I think if we get that temporary ceasefire, we’re going to be able to move in a direction where we can change the dynamic [of what is going on in Gaza]," the US president noted.

 

Earlier, Biden expressed hope that a ceasefire in Gaza would be reached by next Monday, March 4