Watch: Qatari Prime Minister officially announces hostage deal

Qatar's Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani holds a news conference after negotiators reached a deal for a ceasefire in the war between Israel and Hamas.

Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim bin Jabr Al Thani officially announced at a press conference on Wednesday evening that a hostage and ceasefire deal has been reached between Israel and the Hamas terrorist organization.

"It gives us great pleasure in Qatar, Egypt, and the United States to announce the success of the joint mediation efforts and the fact that the two belligerents in the Gaza Strip have reached a deal on the prisoner and the hostage swap and announce a ceasefire in the hopes of reaching a permanent ceasefire between the two sides," the Prime Minister opened.

Al Thani singled out Trump's Middle East Envoy Steve Witkoff for helping achieve the hostage and ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas. He also thanked White House Middle East Coordinator Brek McGurk for his efforts.

The Prime Minister stated that the ceasefire will go into effect on Sunday, January 19, after the Israeli government approves the deal.