Qatar’s foreign ministry announced that a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas will take effect at 0630 GMT on Sunday, following an agreement brokered by the United States, Qatar, and Egypt. The truce will temporarily pause fighting after 15 months of war and facilitate a prisoner exchange.
Under the agreement, Hamas will release 33 hostages in phases over the next six weeks, starting with three female captives on the first day.
Saif Ali Khan Health Update
Israel, in turn, has committed to freeing over 700 Palestinian prisoners, with the first releases scheduled no earlier than 4 p.m. local time on Sunday.
Details of the agreement
The ceasefire, approved by Israel’s Cabinet on Saturday, is the second truce in the conflict, which has claimed over 46,000 lives in Gaza, according to the territory’s Health Ministry. Israel asserts that it has killed over 17,000 Hamas fighters, though evidence has not been provided. The deal stipulates that male Israeli soldiers held by Hamas will only be released in a subsequent phase contingent on further negotiations.
Regional reactions
Hezbollah leader Naim Kassem, speaking on Al-Manar TV, praised the agreement, highlighting the “sacrifices” of Palestinians as a pivotal factor. Kassem also warned of repercussions if Israel violates the truce, pointing to alleged breaches during a previous U.S.-brokered ceasefire in the Israel-Hezbollah conflict.
Meanwhile, calls for Hezbollah’s disarmament by Lebanese opposition factions have intensified, emphasizing that national defense should be managed solely by state institutions.
Prisoner release dynamics
Israel’s Justice Ministry published a list of prisoners eligible for release, including individuals from Hamas and Islamic Jihad, many of whom are serving life sentences for serious offenses. The high-profile Palestinian leader Marwan Barghouti, however, was notably excluded from the list, a point of contention in past negotiations.
As both sides prepare for Sunday’s ceasefire, international mediators remain engaged to ensure the agreement holds, with hopes for a broader resolution to the ongoing crisis.
