Hey there from CNN. I'm Chris DeBo with the five things you need to know for Wednesday, January 15th.

Israel and Hamas have agreed to a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal.

That's what a source briefed on the talks tell CNN, adding the agreement is expected to pause the fighting in Gaza and lead to the release of hostages in Palestinian prisoners.

Israeli officials have said that phase one of the deal would include a 42-day initial ceasefire

and the return of 33 hostages being held in Gaza.

Here's Sanna and Becky Anderson with what's expected from the emerging agreement.

On day 16, negotiations will start for the second phase, which is intended to end the war.

And during that first period, Israel will retain a military presence in what is known as the Philadelphia

corridor, a small strip of land between Gaza and Egypt, but will slowly withdraw. Residents will be allowed to return freely to the north of the strip in the second phase,

with Israel retaining unspecified security arrangements.

Also included in this deal, the exchange of Palestinian prisoners for Israeli hostages,

and of course a surge in humanitarian aid.

Six confirmation hearings for President-elect Donald Trump's key cabinet positions are happening today.

Former Florida State Attorney General Pam Bondi told the Senate Judiciary Committee how she wants to run the DOJ.

My overriding objective will be to return the Department of Justice to its core mission

of keeping Americans safe and vigorously prosecuting criminals.

And that includes getting back to basics.

Republicans support her as Attorney General and think she'll bring an even-handed approach to a department embroiled in politics after the failed prosecutions of Trump.

Some Democrats, like ranking member Dick Durbin, are concerned she'll prosecute Trump's political

enemies.

I need to know that you would tell the president no,

if you're asked to do something that is wrong, illegal, or unconstitutional.

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