The truce between Israel and Hamas takes effect on the morning of January 19th

Qatar's Foreign Ministry said the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas ʹthe Palestinian group declared terrorist organisation by the United States and the European Union will take effect on Sunday (January 19th) at 6:30 local time (07:30 under time in Kosovo).

That, after Saturday morning, the government in Israel approved the Gaza ceasefire agreement.

The negotiating mediators, the United States and Qatar announced on Wednesday the ceasefire agreement, but the pact was questioned for more than a day, after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insisted there had been last minute complications and blamed Hamas on it. On Friday, Israel's security cabinet recommended the Government's adoption of the agreement.

The pact envisions the release of dozens of hostages and halting the 15-month war with Hamas, bringing both sides a step closer to the end of the most deadly and destructive war they have ever fought.

Under the deal, 33 hostages will be released in the next six weeks, in exchange for the release of hundreds of Palestinians imprisoned by Israel.

Netanyah has instructed a special task force to prepare for the hostage admission.

Of the hostages to be released, 33 are women and children, men over the age of 50, sick or injured.

The rest of the hostages, including soldiers, will be released in the second phase, which will be negotiated during the first phase.

Hamas said he would not release the remaining hostages after the first phase, without a long-term ceasefire and Israel's full withdrawal from the Gaza Strip.

The radical Palestinian group has agreed to release three women on the first day of entry into force, four on the seventh day, while others in the next five weeks.

Palestinian prisoners will also be released. Israel's Justice Ministry has published the list of more than 700 people to be released in the first phase of the ceasefire. All prisoners on the list for release during the first phase of the deal are young or women.

Israel's Penitentiary Service said it will transport prisoners instead of the International Committee of the Red Cross, which was taken in transportation during the first fighting pause in November 2023.

The Gaza War began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas attacked Israel, killing about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and kidnapping 250 others. Several hostages were released during a week-long battle pause in November of that year.

Israel's revenge offensive has left more than 46,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children killed, according to the Ministry of Health in Gaza. Israel has said it has killed more than 17,000 warriors, but has offered no evidence of that claim.

The war in the Palestinian enclave has troubled the Middle East and sparked protests worldwide. / REL/