Biden says Israel ready for Ramadan cease-fire, Hamas noncommittal

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President Biden said Israel has agreed to a cease-fire in the Gaza Strip during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, but Hamas is not prepared to call a truce.

The president's remarks were recorded Monday and aired early Tuesday on NBC's "Late Night with Seth Meyers." He suggested that a cease-fire during Ramadan would give the U.S. time to secure the release of American hostages still held by Hamas, but officials from the terrorist group called his comments premature as it studies the cease-fire agreement.

"Ramadan is coming up, and 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," Biden told Meyers.

Earlier, the president told reporters he hoped that a cease-fire would begin by at least "the end of the weekend."

BIDEN ON ICE CREAM OUTING WITH SETH MEYERS SAYS HE HOPES FOR GAZA CEASE-FIRE BY ‘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 at an ice cream parlor near Peacock Network's headquarters after recording his interview with Meyers.

"And my hope is by next Monday, we’ll have a cease-fire," he added, mint ice cream cone in hand.

Hamas is reviewing a proposal agreed at a meeting in Paris last