[Tee tiong huat]

US airdrops of humanitarian assistance into Gaza will begin "very soon," US President Joe Biden said on Friday in the Oval Office that US will begin air-dropping food aid to people of Gaza. Biden also said earlier that the US would be “pulling out every stop” to get additional supplies into Gaza. Additionally, Biden offered a mixed assessment of hostage talks between Israel and Hamas reaching a deal by Monday, saying that he was both hopeful a deal could be achieved by Ramadan but also that an agreement "may not get there."

Asked if he was confident a ceasefire could be agreed to by Monday — the day this week pointed to as possibility. Biden suggested it appeared unlikely.