US President Joe Biden said on Tuesday that he believes there is a need to declare a temporary ceasefire in the Gaza Strip before the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

“If this continues during Ramadan it will be very, very dangerous,” he told reporters, adding that the decision to declare a truce and release hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners was “in the hands of Hamas right now.”

Representatives of the mediators, Qatar, Egypt and the US, are negotiating with Hamas in Cairo. Israel is not participating in the talks. Statements as to whether or not progress has been made are contradictory.

Washington, which says it is concerned about a possible escalation of violence during Ramadan, especially in Jerusalem, last week called on Israel to “facilitate access” for “peaceful worshipers” to Mosque Square, Islam’s third holiest site, during the during Ramadan, which this year is expected to begin on the evening of March 10 or 11. Muslims will be able to come to pray in the square “in the same number as in previous years”, the Israeli government assured yesterday, but added that the situation will be “re-evaluated” constantly based on security criteria.

To avert a humanitarian disaster after five months of war in the besieged Gaza Strip, US President Biden also called for “more aid” to reach the Palestinian enclave insisting Israel has “no excuses” for restricting the entry of trucks waiting at the border with Egypt. The US military made new airdrops of aid packages yesterday.