Cease-fire between Israel, Hamas to go into effect Sunday morning, Qatar says

The cease-fire between Hamas and Israel is set to take effect on Sunday at 8:30 a.m. local time, as confirmed by Qatar’s foreign ministry. This development comes after Qatar’s foreign minister Majid al-Ansari advised caution and urged people to follow instructions from officials once the cease-fire is in place. This marks the second cease-fire achieved during the ongoing conflict.

The deal, approved by Israel’s Cabinet early Saturday morning, includes the release of 33 hostages over the next six weeks in exchange for hundreds of Palestinians held in Israeli prisons. The remaining hostages will be released in a second phase to be negotiated later. The IDF is making preparations to receive the hostages upon their release from Hamas captivity, providing them with necessary physical and psychological support.

Hamas has stated that they will only release the remaining hostages once a lasting cease-fire and full Israeli withdrawal are secured. Questions remain about the identities of the hostages to be released in the first phase, as well as their current status. The agreement specifies the release of three female hostages on the first day, followed by four more on Day seven, and the remaining 26 over the subsequent five weeks.

Israel’s justice ministry has released a list of over 700 Palestinian detainees who are slated to be freed in the initial phase of the deal. The release is scheduled to commence after 4 p.m. local time on Sunday. In anticipation of the cease-fire, Israel’s Air Force intercepted a missile launched from Yemen, with no reported injuries as of early Saturday.

Humanitarian aid is expected to increase in Gaza following the cease-fire, with aid trucks already positioned at the Rafah border crossing. The 15-month-long conflict began with a surprise attack by Hamas on Israel in October 2023, resulting in casualties and abductions. The toll of the war includes thousands of Palestinian deaths, according to local health officials in Gaza.

As the cease-fire approaches, celebrations have erupted in various locations, with people gathering to mark the pause in hostilities. The road to peace remains fraught with challenges, but the potential for a lasting resolution is on the horizon. The efforts of all involved parties, combined with international support, offer hope for a brighter future in the region.

The Associated Press and Fox News have contributed to the coverage of this significant development. Stay tuned for further updates on the evolving situation in the Middle East.