GAZA: United States, Qatari and Egyptian mediators have aimed for a six-week truce in Gaza and the release of many of the hostages that Hamas is still holding, in return for Palestinian prisoners freed from Israeli jails.

The aim had been to halt the fighting by the start of Ramazan, which Saudi Arabia and several other Muslim countries said would begin on Monday after the sighting of the crescent moon.

Ramazan this year is “all pain,” said Ahmed Kamis, 40, in Rafah, where around 1.5 million people have tried to find refuge but are still at risk from Israeli bombing — and a ground operation which Israel has threatened into the southern city.

In Washington President Joe Biden, who faces growing criticism in America for his steadfast support of Israel as the civilian death toll in Gaza soars, issued a statement marking the start of the holy month. “This year, it comes at a moment of immense pain,” Biden said.

“As Muslims gather around the world over the coming days and weeks to break their fast, the suffering of the Palestinian people will be front of mind for many. It is front of mind for me,” Biden added.

A source with knowledge of the truce talks told AFP that “there will be a diplomatic push especially in the next 10 days” with a view to securing a deal within the first half of Ramazan.