Qatar announces Gaza ceasefire comes into effect 8:30 am Sunday

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
18 Jan 2025 11:49
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Qatar has announced that a ceasefire in Gaza is set to begin on Sunday at 8:30 am local time.

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Palestinians wave Hamas flags as they celebrate the release of Palestinian detainees in Nablus in the occupied West Bank, Nov. 24, 2023. (AP)

The Gaza ceasefire is set to take effect on Sunday at 8:30 am local time (0630 GMT), Qatar's foreign ministry announced.

Qatar’s foreign ministry spokesperson, Majed al-Ansari, made the announcement on X: "Following coordination among the parties to the agreement and the mediators, the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip will commence at 8:30 am local time on Sunday, January 19."

As coordinated by the parties to the agreement and the mediators, the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip will begin at 8:30 a.m. on Sunday, January 19, local time in Gaza. We advise the inhabitants to take precaution, exercise the utmost caution, and wait for directions from official…
— د. ماجد محمد الأنصاري Dr. Majed Al Ansari (@majedalansari) January 18, 2025

He also urged residents to "take precaution, exercise the utmost caution, and wait for directions from official sources."

Full Israeli cabinet approves Gaza ceasefire deal

The Israeli government has formally approved a mediated ceasefire agreement with the Palestinian Resistance, following the green light from the smaller security cabinet.

According to Axios, 24 Israeli ministers voted in favor of the deal, while 8 others opposed it.

The news comes on the 470th day of the war on Gaza and after intense rounds of negotiations that led to a multiphase deal.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office confirmed that the government approved the deal, which has been heavily scrutinized by Israeli politicians and commentators. Israeli media outlets reported that the agreement will take effect on Sunday.

First phase details

A Palestinian source disclosed exclusive details to Al Mayadeen regarding the prisoner exchange agreement tied to the ceasefire deal.

Speaking on Friday, the source said that for every female or child captive released by the Palestinian Resistance, 30 Palestinian detainees, including women and children, would be freed from Israeli prisons. Similarly, for every elderly captive aged 50 or older, or for those suffering from illnesses, 30 elderly or sick Palestinian detainees will be released.

The source further elaborated that for each Israeli female soldier released, 30 Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences and 20 others with lengthy sentences—who have 15 years or less remaining—will be freed.

The initial phase of the agreement focuses on Palestinian prisoners who were previously part of the 2011 exchange deal but were later rearrested by Israeli authorities, numbering 47 individuals.

Additionally, the agreement ensures that Palestinian prisoners freed under this deal would not be rearrested on the same charges for which they were previously detained. They will not be required to serve the remainder of their initial sentences, nor will they need to sign any documents as a condition for their release.