Ammon News - US President Joe Biden said Friday he was "hoping" for a ceasefire deal in the war on the Gaza Strip by the holy month of Ramadan but agreement was still not sealed.

"I'm hoping so, we're still working real hard on it. We're not there yet," he told reporters at the White House when asked if he expected a deal by Ramadan, which will start on March 10 or 11, depending on the lunar calendar.

"We'll get there but we're not there yet we may not get there," Biden added, without elaborating, as he headed to his helicopter to spend the weekend at the presidential Camp David retreat.

Biden had said at the beginning of this week that he expected a deal by Monday for a six-week halt in the fighting between Israel and Hamas, but has steadily walked back the timeline.

He also announced earlier Friday that the United States would soon start airdropping aid to Gaza, a day after dozens of Palestinians were killed while they were awaiting aid convoy.

France 24