Israel and Hamas agreed to a ceasefire deal that will release dozens of hostages and bring a temporary halt to the war in the Gaza Strip that has killed tens of thousands of people in the last 15 months and touched off broader turmoil across the Middle East.

The deal, mediated by the United States, offered a glimmer of hope in a conflict that has taken an immense human toll.

The announcement comes after months of fruitless negotiations and just days before the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump.