The president’s announcement says the agreement includes the release of hostages by Hamas and the withdrawal of Israeli troops.

Israel and Hamas agreed on Wednesday to the first phase of U.S. President Donald Trump's plan for Gaza, a ceasefire and hostage deal that could be a first step toward ending a bloody two-year-old war that has roiled the Middle East.

Egyptian President Abdel Fatah El Sisi also said Wednesday that the messages he had received out of the talks in Sharm el-Sheikh were "very encouraging."

President Donald Trump told reporters that he had been informed that a hostage and ceasefire deal is “very close” as Secretary of State Marco Rubio handed him a handwritten note during a roundtable event at the White House.

President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner arrives in Egypt for Gaza ceasefire negotiations as part of Trump's 20-point peace plan efforts.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio touted progress at talks in Egypt on US President Donald Trump’s peace plan after Hamas and Israel were cautiously positive about the prospects for ending the two-year war in Gaza.