Israel and Hamas have agreed to stop the war for six weeks, but now the hard part begins for all sides. During the first phase of the deal, which will last for 42 days, Hamas will release 33 of the roughly 100 Israeli hostages it has held for more than 15 months,

Steve Witkoff, an investor and real estate mogul, has been highlighted as a key figure in securing a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas.

A senior administration official provided more details about how the Israel-Hamas ceasefire and hostage release agreement finally came together.

Steve Witkoff, President-elect Trump's chief Middle East negotiator who played a key role in the Hamas-Israeli ceasefire, is a billionaire real estate developer and investor.

The developer, who is president-elect Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy, worked with the main negotiator in the deal.

Follow NBC News' live coverage as Israel and Hamas reach an agreement on the ceasefire deal after Israel delayed vote.

The negotiations that led to the Israel-Hamas ceasefire agreement took months and months. At the center of the talks representing the United States was Brett McGurk, the White House coordinator for the Middle East and North Africa.

President-elect Trump lauded the Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal struck Wednesday, saying it would not have happened without his victory in November over Vice President Harris. “This EPIC ceasefire

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.

The U.S.-proposed Gaza ceasefire deal, as presented, would result in a six-week ceasefire along, a limited exchange of hostages held by Hamas and Palestinians imprisoned by Israel, a partial withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza and a surge in humanitarian aid to the war-torn Palestinian territory in the first phase.

Gaza hostages set for gradual return home after 15 months in Hamas captivity • Biden confirms US citizens to be released in first phase