US President Joe Biden announced a ceasefire and hostage deal between Israel and Hamas to halt fighting in Gaza on Wednesday.President-elect Donald Trump also said earlier that a deal had been reached to release hostages held by Hamas in Gaza.Negotiators in Qatar earlier appeared to be close to sealing a deal on a ceasefire in the war in Gaza between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas after 15 months of death and destruction.For the latest updates on the Israel-Palestine conflict, visit our dedicated page.Officials from mediators Qatar, Egypt and the US as well as Israel and Hamas said on Tuesday an agreement was closer than ever for a truce in the besieged enclave, the release of hostages held there, and the freeing of Palestinian prisoners detained in Israel.A senior Hamas official had told Reuters late on Tuesday it had not yet delivered its response because it was still waiting for Israel to submit maps showing how its forces would withdraw from Gaza.During months of