Biden is optimistic about hostage talks and says he expects a ceasefire within a week

President Biden said Monday he believed negotiators were nearing a deal that would halt Israel’s military operations in Gaza within a week in exchange for the release of at least some of the more than 100 hostages held by Hamas.

Speaking to reporters during a stop in New York, Mr Biden gave the most hopeful assessment of the hostage talks by any major figure in many days, suggesting the war could be close to a major turning point.

“I hope by the end of the weekend,” he said when reporters asked him when he expected a ceasefire to take effect. “My national security advisor tells me we are close. Were close. We’re not done yet. I hope we have a ceasefire next Monday.”

The president’s comments, which he made spontaneously in response to questions during a visit to an ice cream parlor after taping a segment from Seth Meyers’ late-night talk show, came amid an active period of conversations in the region. Israel’s war cabinet this weekend approved the terms of an agreement that would include a six-week ceasefire for the release of about 40 hostages, and an Israeli delegation planned to meet in Qatar with intermediaries from the United States, Egypt and Qatar.