Expanding Israel’s coalition government will help advance a hostages-for-ceasefire deal with Hamas, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday amid reports that he is considering replacing Defense Minister Yoav Gallant with New Hope Party leader Gideon Sa’ar.

Netanyahu made his remarks—the first since reports emerged of talks with Sa’ar—in conversation with close advisers, local media reported.

The Prime Minister’s Office denied talks with Sa’ar, while a New Hope Party spokesperson claimed that there was “nothing new” to report.