Months of tedious talks over a ceasefire and hostage deal in Gaza – negotiations that required officials from an outgoing and incoming presidential administration to put aside their fundamental differences – culminated in an intense late-night push for an agreement that finally came to fruition on Wednesday.

The father of a New Jersey native who is being held hostage by Hamas is hopeful about the ceasefire deal announced Wednesday, even though he says his son will not be among the first wave of those released.