Joe Biden hopeful Gaza cease-fire and hostage deal can take effect by next Monday

U.S. President Joe Biden waves as he boards Air Force One. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque

WAFAA SHURAFA, TIA GOLDENBERG and KAREEM CHEHAYEB, Associated Press

President Joe Biden said Monday that he hopes a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas that would pause hostilities and allow for remaining hostages to be released can take effect by early next week.

Asked when he hoped such a deal could be finalized, Biden said: “Well I hope by the beginning of the weekend. The end of the weekend. My national security adviser tells me that they’re close. They’re close. They’re not done yet. My hope is by next Monday we’ll have a ceasefire.”