Israel's defense minister said Tuesday that the window is closing on an opportunity to reach a temporary cease-fire deal with Hamas that he believes could also bring calm to Israel'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.