US President-elect Donald Trump announced today, Wednesday, via his platform "Truth Social", that an agreement had been reached to release hostages in the Middle East.

While there has been no official announcement from the Biden administration regarding the Gaza ceasefire, Trump celebrated on his social media platform Truth Social: “We have a deal on the hostages in the Middle East and they will be released soon... Thank you.”

“This epic ceasefire agreement was only possible as a result of our historic victory in November, which signaled to the entire world that my Administration would pursue peace and negotiate deals to ensure the safety of all Americans and our allies,” Trump wrote. “I am very pleased that the American and Israeli hostages will be returning home to be reunited with their families and loved ones.”

“With this agreement in place, my National Security Team, through the efforts of Special Envoy for the Middle East Steve Witkoff, will continue to work closely with Israel and our allies to ensure that Gaza never again becomes a safe haven for terrorists. We will continue to advance peace through strength throughout the region, while building on the momentum of this ceasefire to extend the historic Abraham Accords. This is just the beginning of great things to come for America, and indeed the world!”

The US President-elect noted, "We have accomplished so much even without being in the White House. Just imagine all the wonderful things that will happen when I return to the White House."

An informed official told Reuters today that Israel and Hamas have agreed to a ceasefire in Gaza and an exchange of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners, paving the way for a possible end to the 15-month war that has turned the Middle East upside down.

The official revealed that Qatar, Egypt and the US are guaranteeing the implementation of the agreement, noting that all living hostages will be released first, followed by the remains of the dead hostages. He added: "Hamas will release the hostages over a period of six weeks, three hostages each week and the rest before the end of the period."

During months of on-again, off-again talks to broker a truce in the devastating 15-month war, both sides have said they were close to a ceasefire only to run into last-minute snags. The outlines of the current deal have been in place since mid-2024.