Israel ready to halt war during Ramadan if hostage deal reached, says Biden

A poster depicting Israeli hostage Alon Ohel is displayed in Re’im, southern Israel at the Gaza border on Monda (Maya Alleruzzo/AP)

US president Joe Biden said Israel would be willing to halt its war on Hamas in Gaza during the upcoming Muslim fasting month of Ramadan if a deal is reached to release some of the hostages held by the militants.

Negotiators from the US, Egypt and Qatar are working on a framework deal under which Hamas would free some of the dozens of hostages it holds, in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners and a six-week halt in fighting.