Ceasefire in Gaza set to begin January 19 morning following historic agreement

A ceasefire in the Gaza Strip is set to begin on Sunday, January 19, at 8:30 AM, following an agreement facilitated by mediators from Qatar, Egypt, and the United States.

Majid bin Mohammed al-Ansari, spokesperson for the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs, announced the development, emphasizing that the arrangement was reached through the concerted efforts of all involved parties, Caliber.Az reports citing Israeli media sources.

Al-Ansari urged residents of the Gaza Strip to take necessary precautions and remain attentive to instructions from official sources as the ceasefire takes effect.

The agreement stems from mediation efforts led by Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdul Rahman Al Thani, who on January 15 confirmed that a breakthrough had been achieved between Israel and Hamas. The deal addresses both the immediate release of hostages held by Hamas and the cessation of hostilities in Gaza, marking a significant milestone in efforts to stabilize the region.

As part of the agreement, the first phase, lasting 42 days, will see Hamas release 33 Israeli hostages, including IDF soldiers, wounded civilians, women, children, and elderly individuals. In return, Israel will release Arab prisoners currently detained in its facilities, some of whom are labelled as terrorists by Israeli authorities. 

Additionally, the agreement stipulates that the Israel Defense Forces will reposition its troops, withdrawing to a depth of 700 meters from the Gaza border. This move is seen as a gesture of de-escalation and is expected to reduce immediate tensions in the area. While this first phase sets the stage for a fragile peace, discussions are already planned to address the subsequent phases of the agreement. These negotiations may focus on achieving a full or near-complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza and establishing further terms to solidify the ceasefire.

The deal was reached after over seven hours of intense deliberations within the Israeli government. Following this marathon discussion, officials gave their approval, signifying a rare consensus on a critical issue. A statement from the Prime Minister’s Office confirmed that the agreement on the release of hostages and the ceasefire will come into effect on January 19.

By Tamilla Hasanova