TEL AVIV: After 15 months of conflict, a ceasefire agreement will take effect in Gaza starting on Sunday. The initial phase of the truce is set for 42 days. The ceasefire will come into effect at 12 PM IST (8:30 AM local time). Despite opposition from hard-right factions, the Israeli government gave its final approval to the agreement yesterday. On Sunday, Hamas will release three hostages, and in return, Israel will free 90 Palestinian prisoners. The successful agreement is the result of months-long mediation led by Qatar, Egypt, and the U.S. President-elect Donald Trump played a key role, while Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani's intervention was a turning point. Over 46,890 Palestinians have lost their lives in Gaza so far.
In the coming days, Hamas will release 30 more hostages. Out of the 94 hostages, 60 are believed to be alive. Additionally, Israel will release 1,904 Palestinian detainees. Israel will withdraw from densely populated areas of Gaza, and aid trucks will be allowed to cross through the Rafah border. If the discussions on the 16th day of the ceasefire succeed, the agreement will proceed to the second phase. In this phase, all remaining hostages will be released, and a permanent ceasefire will be established. The third phase will focus on the reconstruction of Gaza.
Countries anxiously looking into