Significant progress was made on a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal once the administrations of Joe Biden and Donald Trump began working hand in hand to make the case for urgency, outgoing U.S.

The deal, mediated by the United States, offered a glimmer of hope in a conflict that has taken an immense human toll.

US President Joe Biden hailed "many months of intensive diplomacy" for bringing about a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, as he outlined the next steps of the deal to end 15 months of war.

COLLEYVILLE -- Wednesday marks three years since four Jewish men were held hostage inside a synagogue in Colleyville. Meanwhile, Israel announced a long-awaited ceasefire with Hamas today. Jeffrey Cohen,

The deal will take place in three different phases, each of which will last for six weeks, according to U.S. and Qatari officials.

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.

Mediators say Israel and Hamas have agreed to a pause in fighting in Gaza and to begin releasing the hostages held there.

President-elect Donald Trump was quick to take credit for the cease-fire struck Wednesday between Israel and Hamas — and progressive critics of the Biden administration’s approach to the conflict were quick to give it to him.

The father of an Israeli soldier held by Hamas and Gaza residents celebrated the ceasefire deal to end the war and free the hostages.