Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant told his US counterpart that military operations in the Gaza Strip have created conditions that would enable a hostage deal to be reached, Reuters reports according to Gallant’s office.

Gallant made the comments during an overnight call with US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin, his office said.

“IDF operations in Gaza have led to the conditions necessary to achieve an agreement for the return of hostages, which is the highest moral imperative at this time,”