Speaking to journalists in New York, U.S. President Joe Biden expressed hope that a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, which will allow for the release of hostages, will be reached by March 4.

"Well, I hope by the beginning of the weekend. The end of the weekend. My national security adviser tells me that we're close. We're close. We're not done yet. "And I hope that by next Monday, we'll have a ceasefire," Biden said during a political visit to New York.