A ceasefire between Hamas and Israel is set to go into effect on Sunday at 8:30 a.m. local time (0630 GMT), as announced by Qatar, the mediator in the negotiations. The announcement comes as families of hostages in Gaza anxiously await news of their loved ones, while Palestinians prepare to receive freed detainees, and humanitarian organizations rush to deliver aid, reports AP.
However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that the ceasefire will not proceed unless Israel receives the names of hostages to be released, as previously agreed. There was no immediate response from Hamas or Qatar after the announcement.
The ceasefire will last for an initial phase of 42 days, with negotiations for a second phase set to begin after about two weeks. The ceasefire comes after 15 months of devastating conflict between Israel and Hamas, marking a rare pause in one of the deadliest periods of fighting between the two sides.
The first phase of the ceasefire includes the release of 33 hostages from Gaza, in exchange for 737 Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. The release of the hostages will begin on Sunday at 4 p.m. (1400 GMT), with the first group of three female hostages to be returned.
The ceasefire also includes a provision for the return of displaced Palestinians to their homes and an increase in humanitarian aid entering Gaza, which has been ravaged by the ongoing conflict.
The ceasefire follows an agreement to release Palestinian prisoners, with a focus on women and minors, and the eventual return of soldiers held in Gaza. However, Hamas has stated that the full release of all captives is contingent on a lasting ceasefire and a complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.
