Months of tedious talks over a ceasefire and hostage deal in Gaza – negotiations that required officials from an outgoing and incoming presidential administration to put aside their fundamental differences – culminated in an intense late-night push for an agreement that finally came to fruition on Wednesday.

Two Americans held in Gaza are on the list of hostages to be released in first six-week phase of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal that was announced Wednesday, a source familiar with the matter said.

After intense negotiations, Israel and Hamas have reached a deal that would see a ceasefire and the exchange of hostages in Gaza for Palestinian prisoners.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President-elect Donald Trump said on Wednesday that a deal had been reached to release hostages held in Gaza. His comments, made on his Truth Social platform, came after an official said that Israel and Hamas had reached a ceasefire deal in the Gaza war.

Israel and Hamas agreed to a ceasefire deal to pause the devastating war in the Gaza Strip, multiple officials announced Wednesday, raising the possibility of winding down the deadliest and most destructive fighting between the bitter enemies.

A Gaza deal between Israel and Hamas, still not officially announced yet on Wednesday, outlines a six-week initial ceasefire phase and includes the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces and release of hostages held by Hamas in exchange for Palestinian detainees held by Israel,

Multiple sources have told NBC News that Israel and Hamas have reached a ceasefire deal to pause the fighting in Gaza, eventually releasing dozens of hostages taken during the Oct. 7 attacks. NBC News' Richard Engel and Raf Sanchez report on the breakthrough for peace in the Middle East.