NEW YORK, February 27. /TASS/. 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.

Tensions in the Middle East flared up again on October 7, 2023, after militants from the radical Palestinian group Hamas launched a surprise incursion into Israeli territory from the Gaza Strip, killing residents of border communities and taking over 240 people, including women, children and the elderly, hostage. Hamas described its attack as a response to the aggressive actions of Israeli authorities against the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem’s Old City. Israel announced a total blockade of Gaza and started carrying out strikes on targets in the Strip, as well as on certain areas in Lebanon and Syria. Clashes are also taking place in the West Bank.