The Taliban has declared a rare cease-fire in Afghanistan for a Muslim holiday this week, in a move that could renew momentum for talks with the Afghan government.

The negotiations are meant to end the decades-long conflict in Afghanistan and give the Taliban a role in governing the country.

In an online English statement, the Taliban said it will “halt offensive operations against enemy forces during the three days and nights” of Eid al-Adha, which begins on Thursday.

The government of Afghan President Ashraf Ghani said it would observe the cease-fire. Ghani also said he would soon free hundreds of Taliban prisoners as part of a prisoner exchange, and that direct negotiations with the insurgents could start “in a week’s time”.

This is the third cease-fire that the Taliban have called over the past two years - before then, they were exceedingly rare.