The ceasefire between Hamas and Israel is expected to take effect at 8:30 a.m. local time on Sunday, according to Qatar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Qatari Foreign Minister Majid Al-Ansari urged people to remain alert and wait for instructions from the authorities when the ceasefire takes effect. This is the second ceasefire achieved during the war.
Israel's Cabinet early Saturday approved a Gaza ceasefire agreement that includes the release of dozens of hostages in the Gaza Strip and a suspension of the war with Hamas that began after the terrorist group's attack on the Jewish state on October 7, 2023. .
The deal will see the release of 33 hostages over the next six weeks in exchange for hundreds of Palestinians imprisoned by Israel. The remaining hostages are scheduled to be released in the second phase, with negotiations taking place in the first phase.
What you need to know about the Israeli-Hamas hostage and ceasefire agreement scheduled to begin on Sunday
A girl pauses in front of a mural of a female Israeli soldier put up by Hamas in the Gaza Strip on Friday, January 17, 2025, in Tel Aviv, Israel. In Hebrew it is written as “look into the eyes.” (AP)
The Israel Defense Forces is preparing to receive hostages released from Hamas captivity and is working to provide appropriate physical and psychological support, paying close attention to every detail.
In addition to this agreement and our commitment to return all hostages, the IDF will continue to work to ensure the safety of all Israeli citizens, especially those in communities near the Gaza Strip.
Hamas said it would not release the remaining hostages unless there is a permanent ceasefire and a complete Israeli withdrawal.
But questions remain about the ceasefire, including the identities of the 33 hostages scheduled to be released in the first six-week phase and which of them are still alive.
Hamas agreed to release three female hostages on the first day of the agreement, four on the seventh day, and the remaining 26 over the next five weeks.
Israel's Ministry of Justice has published a list of more than 700 Palestinian detainees who are scheduled to be released in the first phase of the deal. The Ministry of Justice said the releases would not begin before 4pm local time on Sunday.
Muslim women hold posters while riding motorcycles during a rally celebrating the announcement of a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel, Saturday, January 18, 2025, in Jakarta, Indonesia. (AP)
This is the second ceasefire achieved during the war.
The Israeli military also announced Saturday morning that its air force had intercepted a missile fired from Yemen just before an expected ceasefire. Sirens were sounded as per protocol, but no injuries were reported as of early Saturday morning.
A surge in humanitarian aid is expected in Gaza. On Friday, trucks loaded with aid were seen lined up on the Egyptian side of the Rafah border entering Gaza.
Israel-Hamas ceasefire, hostage release agreement reached: “America will join in''
People gather to celebrate the long-awaited ceasefire that will suspend fighting in the Gaza Strip on Thursday, January 16, 2025, in Paris. (AP)
The 15-month war in Gaza began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel, killing about 1,200 people and abducting about 250, prompting Israeli military retaliation. caused. Nearly 100 hostages are still being held in Gaza.
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More than 46,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks, according to local health officials in the Hamas-run government, which does not differentiate between civilians and terrorists.
FOX News' Yael Kriel and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
