A deal to release hostages held by Hamas in exchange for Palestinian prisoners has been agreed by the parties in talks in Doha involving mediators from Egypt Qatar

Secretary of State Antony Blinken had said the U.S. wanted a ceasefire deal in Gaza and all remaining captives released before Donald Trump takes office on Jan. 20.

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

Israel and Hamas agreed to a ceasefire and hostage release deal on Jan. 15, following more than 15 months of devastating war.

During a weeklong ceasefire between Hamas and Israel in late November 2023, Hamas freed more than 100 people. In exchange, Israel released more than 200 Palestinians from Israeli prisons. Several hostages in Gaza have also been freed in the months since, while the bodies of others have been recovered.

After months of on-off negotiations conducted by Egyptian and Qatari mediators, there is hope that the remaining details of the ceasefire deal will be resolved within hours and could go into effect on Jan.

WE HAVE A DEAL FOR THE HOSTAGES IN THE MIDDLE EAST,” President-elect Donald Trump wrote on social media. “THEY WILL BE RELEASED SHORTLY. THANK YOU!”