US President Joe Biden said Monday he hoped a ceasefire in Gaza could start by the beginning of next week. Amid a spiraling humanitarian crisis in the Palestinian territory, representatives from Egypt, Qatar, the United States, France and elsewhere have acted as go-betweens for Israel and Hamas, seeking a halt to the fighting and the release of Israeli hostages held in Gaza. A deal could also include the exchange of dozens of hostages for several hundred Palestinian detainees held by Israel.