Israel and Hamas have reached a ceasefire and hostage release agreement to halt more than a year of fighting in the Gaza Strip, President Biden and Qatar's prime minister announced separately on Wednesday.

Fewer than 100 of those kidnapped are believed to still be alive, according to Israeli officials. Edan Alexander's status has not been publicly confirmed, though Hamas did release a video in early December in which he pleaded for Israel to negotiate a deal.

Two Americans held in Gaza are on the list of hostages to be released in first six-week phase of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal that was announced Wednesday, a source familiar with the matter said.