The negotiations that led to the Israel-Hamas ceasefire agreement took months and months. At the center of the talks representing the United States was Brett McGurk, the White House coordinator for the Middle East and North Africa.

The deal between Israel and Hamas to release hostages being held in Gaza and begin a ceasefire was officially signed by negotiators in Doha on Thursday, according to two sources familiar with the issue.

The story of how Israel and Hamas agreed to a ceasefire in Gaza stretches back over more than a year. The timing and unlikely partners who coalesced to push negotiations across the line help explain why it finally happened.

Rarely have representatives of current and new presidents of different parties worked together at such a high-stakes moment. But the president and the president-elect didn’t quite share credit.

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.

A Palestinian source close to the talks says he expects the deal to be finalised imminently if ‘all goes well’.

A ceasefire agreement in Gaza has been reached between Israel and Hamas after more than 15 months of war. The United States, Egypt and Qatar have mediated the long-running efforts

Trump’s incoming Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff is in the region and has met with Israeli and Qatari officials in recent days. He’s closely coordinating with Joe Biden’s outgoing Middle East envoy, Brett McGurk, who has been in Doha for several days.

DOHA, Jan 13 — Mediators gave Israel and Hamas a final draft ... A US source said the outgoing Biden administration’s envoy Brett McGurk was also there. “The next 24 hours will be pivotal to reaching the deal,” the official said, characterising ...

A long-sought Gaza ceasefire-for-hostages deal emerged at the end of an intense 96 hours of negotiations in Doha brokered by U.S., Egyptian and Qatari diplomats who persuaded Israel and Hamas finally to conclude the agreement.

BRETT MCGURK, White House Coordinator For the Middle ... And I spent most of the last six weeks, first in Cairo, then in Doha, kind of nailing this down. And it was at the end of December, Amna.

DOHA/CAIRO -Negotiators will meet in Doha on ... Trump’s incoming Middle East envoy; Mr Brett McGurk, Mr Biden’s outgoing Middle East envoy; and Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed ...