Months of tedious talks over a ceasefire and hostage deal in Gaza – negotiations that required officials from an outgoing and incoming presidential administration to put aside their fundamental differences – culminated in an intense late-night push for an agreement that finally came to fruition on Wednesday.

Two Americans held in Gaza are on the list of hostages to be released in first six-week phase of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal that was announced Wednesday, a source familiar with the matter said.