A deal has been reached in the negotiations between Israel and Hamas to release hostages being held in Gaza and establish a ceasefire, according to U.S., Israeli, Egyptian and Qatari officials. Why it matters: The agreement will end more than 15 months of the deadliest war in the decades long Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

After nearly a year and a half of war in Gaza, a ceasefire and hostage deal was struck between Israel and Hamas. The deal was mediated by the United States, Egypt and Qatar and will begin this weekend.

After a potential snag could have stopped ceasefire negotiations between Hamas and Israel, a deal appears to have been struck.