After 14 months of talks, Trump’s threats and his special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, played a major role in helping Biden officials reach the finish line.

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,

Israel’s government is expected to give final approval Friday of a ceasefire deal with Hamas, which could start as soon as Sunday and signal the release of at least two American hostages.