Responding to news that Israel and Hamas had reached a ceasefire and hostage release deal Wednesday, President-elect Donald Trump said he should get credit.

“The EPIC ceasefire agreement could have only happened as a result of our Historic Victory in November, as it signaled to the entire World that my Administration would seek Peace and negotiate deals to ensure the safety of all Americans, and our Allies,” he wrote on Truth Social shortly after the deal was announced.

The ceasefire comes after more than 15 months of war following the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel and Israel’s retaliation. About 100 people are believed to still be captive in Gaza. Roughly 100 hostages remain in Gaza, but one-third are believed to be dead.

President Joe Biden confirmed the deal had been reached Wednesday. When asked if he or Trump was more responsible for the agreement, Biden answered, "Is that a joke?"

As part of a three-phase deal, 33 women, children, older adults and wounded civilians held by Hamas, including Americans, will be exchanged for hundreds of Palestinian women and children held by Israel. Soldiers and male captives are set to be released in the deal’s second phase.

The Biden administration has been working on the deal since May. On Tuesday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the deal was “on the brink” of being finished after months of negotiations.

“I am thrilled American and Israeli hostages will be returning home to be reunited with their families and loved ones,” Trump wrote, before vowing that his choice for special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, will continue to work with Israel and U.S. allies to make sure Gaza is never again “a terrorist safe haven.” 

During a news conference last week, Trump reiterated that there would be "hell to pay" if a ceasefire deal hadn't been reached by the time he took office.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.