President Biden was uncharacteristically pessimistic Thursday about the chances of a three-day humanitarian cease-fire in Gaza so Hamas could release dozens of hostages.

International mediators were said to be closing in on a possible deal for a limited cease-fire, according to international media reports. However, Mr. Biden told reporters that he thinks a pact is unlikely.

“None. No possibility,” Mr. Biden said when asked by reporters about the possibility of a cease-fire.'

Other world leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, have called for a cease-fire. The Biden administration, however, has rejected those calls and instead has raised the possibility of a “tactical pause” to the fighting in Gaza.

The administration has argued a pause could provide Palestinian civilians with opportunities to flee to safety from areas where the fighting has intensified, to ensure humanitarian assistance is reaching civilians and enable the potential release of hostages.

White House national security spokesperson John Kirby said this week that the administration would want a humanitarian pause “as soon as possible.”

International mediators are trying to broker a deal in which a small amount of fuel would be allowed to enter Gaza for the first time since the Israel-Hamas war began last month. In exchange, the mediators are asking for the release of 12 hostages, which are believed to include six Americans, a source close to Hamas told the AFP news agency on Wednesday.