Gallant hints at 6-week pause in fighting

Israel’s defense minister has said the window is closing on an opportunity to reach a temporary ceasefire deal with the Hamas militant group that he believes could also bring calm to the country’s volatile northern border with Lebanon.

Speaking to reporters, Yoav Gallant said that conditions are ripe for at least a six-week pause in fighting that would include the release of many of the  hostages held in Gaza. However, he would not commit to a permanent end to the fighting, as Hamas has demanded, raising questions about the feasibility of a deal.