Israel-Hamas war: No ceasefire in sight as Ramadan nears As the Islamic holy month of Ramadan is set to begin, there is still no breakthrough in talks for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war. The US and regional mediators Egypt and Qatar had hoped to have a six-week ceasefire in place by the start of the religious holiday, but talks appeared to be stalled, with Hamas holding out for assurances that a temporary truce will lead to an end of hostilities.