The Latest | Biden says Israel is willing to halt war during Ramadan if a hostage deal is reached [Video]

President Joe Biden says 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 U.S., 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. During the temporary pause, negotiations would continue over the release of the remaining hostages.

The war has unleashed a humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza and the situation in Rafah has sparked global concern. Israel’s allies have warned that it must protect civilians in its battle against Hamas.

In the past 24 hours alone, the bodies of 96 people streamed in to hospitals along with 144 wounded, Gaza’s Health Ministry said.

Nearly 30,000 Palestinians have been killed after almost five months of Israel’s war …