PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST — After 15 months of war that have killed 47,000 people, laid waste to much of Gaza and triggered political fallout around the world, Israel and Hamas have finally struck a cease-fire deal, according to multiple officials.

Biden officials involved in the effort acknowledged that President-elect Donald Trump’s threats and Trump envoy Steve Witkoff’s participation during the final week of negotiations played a major role in bringing across the finish line a deal they had struggled to reach for more than a year.

Israel has said that its cabinet will not meet to approve the ceasefire and hostage release deal with Hamas, claiming the militant group was creating a "last-minute crisis." Fmr. Spokesperson for the U.