WASHINGTON (TNND) — Israel and Hamas agreed to a ceasefire deal Wednesday which pauses the 15-month war in the Gaza Strip, mediators announced.

The deal promises the release of dozens of hostages held by Hamas and hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. Thousands of people would also be allowed to return home after being displaced.

Egypt, Qatar and the Biden administration have spent more than a year trying to broker an agreement to end the war that began on Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas attacked southern Israel and took about 250 hostages.

The agreement still needs to be approved by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Cabinet but is expected to go into effect in the coming days.

Hamas senior official Basem Naim told CNN they approved the agreement and consulted allied militant groups.

"The movement has dealt with this matter with full responsibility and positivity, stemming from its duty towards our steadfast and resilient people in the Gaza Strip, to stop the Zionist aggression against them and put an end to the massacres and genocide they are facing."

Initially, the deal will deliver a six-week halt to fighting and 33 of the nearly 100 hostages will be released to loved ones.

A weeklong truce in November 2023 allowed for the release of more than 100 hostages.

The incoming Trump administration vowed Tuesday that “all hell will break out in the Middle East” if the hostages aren’t released by his inauguration.

“And it will not be good for Hamas, and it will not be good, frankly, for anyone,” Trump said if Hamas doesn’t release the hostages, which includes several Americans. “All hell will break out. I don’t have to say any more, but that’s what it is.”

Trump essentially took credit for the ceasefire writing on Truth Social it "only happened as a result of our Historic Victory in November."

"It signaled to the entire World that my Administration would seek Peace and negotiate deals to ensure the safety of all Americans, and our Allies," he continued. "I am thrilled American and Israeli hostages will be returning home to be reunited with their families and loved ones."

Biden outlined a three-phase ceasefire agreement in May.

The first phase would last for six weeks and include a “full and complete ceasefire,” a withdrawal of Israeli forces from densely populated areas of Gaza and the release of a number of hostages, including women, older adults and wounded people, in exchange for the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. Humanitarian assistance would surge, with hundreds of trucks entering Gaza each day.

The second and most difficult phase would include the release of all remaining living hostages, including male soldiers, and Israeli forces would withdraw from Gaza. The third phase calls for the start of a major reconstruction of Gaza, which faces decades of rebuilding from devastation caused by the war.

Hamas triggered the war with its Oct. 7, 2023, cross-border attack, which killed some 1,200 Israelis and took 250 others hostage. Israel responded with a fierce offensive that has killed over 46,000 Palestinians, according to local health officials, displaced an estimated 90% of Gaza’s population and sparked a humanitarian crisis.

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Editor's note:The Associated Press contributed to this article.