The first phase of the agreement brokered by the United States, Qatar and Egypt will halt, for now, a 15-month war that changed the Middle East.

Multiple sources have told NBC News that Israel and Hamas have reached a ceasefire deal to pause the fighting in Gaza, eventually releasing dozens of hostages taken during the Oct. 7 attacks. NBC News' Richard Engel and Raf Sanchez report on the breakthrough for peace in the Middle East.

Thirty-three Israeli hostages are expected to be released from Hamas after a ceasefire agreement was reached on Jan. 15. The hostages will be returned to Israel over a 42-day ceasefire period. If successful,