The ceasefire between Hamas and Israel is expected to go into effect on Sunday at 8:30 a.m. local time, according to the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Qatari Foreign Minister Majid Al-Ansari urged people to be cautious when the ceasefire enters into force and to await instructions from officials. This is the second ceasefire reached during the war.
Israeli Cabinet Early Saturday morning, he approved the agreement for a ceasefire in Gaza that will include the release of dozens of hostages and an end to the war with Hamas that began after the movement’s attack on the Jewish state on October 7, 2023.
The agreement stipulates the release of 33 hostages during the next six weeks, in exchange for the release of hundreds of Palestinians imprisoned by Israel. The remaining hostages are scheduled to be released in a second phase, which will be negotiated during the first phase.
A girl stops at a mural of Israeli female soldiers being held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip, in Tel Aviv, Israel, Friday, January 17, 2025. It says in Hebrew: “Look into their eyes.” (AP)
Hamas said it would not release the remaining hostages without a permanent ceasefire and complete Israeli withdrawal.
But questions remain about the ceasefire, including the identity of the 33 hostages scheduled to be released during the first six-week phase, and who of them are still alive.
Hamas agreed to release three hostages on the first day of the deal, four on the seventh day, and the remaining 26 over the next five weeks.
The Israeli Ministry of Justice issued a list of more than 700 Palestinian prisoners scheduled to be released in the first phase of the deal. The Justice Ministry said the release would not begin before 4 p.m. local time on Sunday.
Muslim women display a poster as they ride motorcycles during a march to celebrate the announcement of a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel, in Jakarta, Indonesia, Saturday, January 18, 2025. (AP)
This is the second ceasefire reached during the war.
Israeli forces also announced on Saturday morning that their air force intercepted a missile It started from YemenBefore the expected ceasefire.
Gaza is expected to receive an increase in humanitarian aid. Trucks loaded with aid were seen lined up on Friday on the Egyptian side of the Rafah border crossing with Gaza.
People gather to celebrate the long-awaited ceasefire that will stop fighting in the Gaza Strip, Thursday, January 16, 2025, in Paris. (AP)
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Its duration is 15 months The war in Gaza It began when Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, in which nearly 1,200 people were killed and about 250 others kidnapped, prompting Israeli forces to retaliate militaryly. About 100 hostages are still being held in Gaza.
More than 46,000 Palestinians have been killed in the Israeli offensive, according to local health officials for the Hamas-run government, who do not distinguish between civilians and terrorists.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
