Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said conditions for a ceasefire and hostage deal with Hamas are “becoming ripe,” suggesting the two sides are getting closer to agreeing to at least a temporary halt to their war in Gaza.

Netanyahu spoke while in Washington on his first foreign trip since the conflict began almost nine months ago.

The prospect of all remaining hostages being returned are improving “for the simple reason that we are putting very strong pressure on Hamas,” Netanyahu said. “We see a certain change, and I think that this change will increase.”