Biden on ice cream outing with Seth Meyers says he hopes for Gaza ceasefire by ‘end of the weekend’

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President Biden said Monday a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip is close and hoped to see one materialize by "the end of the weekend."

The seemingly casual comments, carrying massive geopolitical significance, came during the president’s stop at an ice cream parlor near Peacock Network’s headquarters, where he had just wrapped up an interview with Seth Meyers on the "Late Night" show.

Asked by a reporter when he expected the ceasefire to begin, Biden, with a mint ice cream cone in hand, said he hoped by at least "the end of the weekend."

"At least, my national security advisor tells me that we’re close. We’re close. It’s not done yet," Biden said. "And my hope is by next Monday, we’ll have a ceasefire."

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Biden also spoke about his planned trip to the southern border this Thursday where he will meet with border agents and discuss the need for bipartisan legislation.

Biden joked that "my good friend" would be making a border stop as well, a subtle nod to GOP rival, former President Trump, who is traveling to the border as well.

Biden's visit comes after the murder of Augusta University student Laken Riley on the University of Georgia campus in Athens last week allegedly at the hands of