The Israeli cabinet will meet early Friday to ratify a ceasefire and hostage exchange agreement with the Palestinian group Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
The Israel Broadcasting Authority (KAN) reported this, citing an unnamed source.
The agreement, announced by Qatar on Wednesday, is set to take effect on Sunday.
Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdul Rahman al-Thani has officially announced that a ceasefire agreement has been reached in the Gaza Strip.
“Qatar, Egypt and the United States are pleased to announce that an agreement has been reached regarding Gaza. With the approval of both sides in the negotiations, work will continue tonight to finalize the implementation aspects,” al-Thani said.
He said that implementation of the agreement would begin on Sunday, January 19, and that Hamas would release 33 prisoners in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners.
“We are working with Hamas and Israel on steps to implement the ceasefire agreement,” al-Thani said.
He stressed that Qatar, Egypt and the United States will work to ensure the implementation of the ceasefire agreement.
“The details of the second and third phases will be after the first phase of the agreement is completed. We are working with Hamas and Israel on steps to implement the ceasefire agreement. The agreement will bring peace, and the responsibility now lies with both parties. Teams from Qatar, Egypt and the United States will work to monitor the implementation of the ceasefire agreement,” al-Thani said.
He stressed that there will be mechanisms to monitor the implementation of the ceasefire agreement and monitor any violations of the agreement.
After 465 days of war, it was announced today that Hamas and Israel have reached a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip that will take place in three phases. In exchange for Israeli prisoners, Israel will release hundreds of Palestinian prisoners from its prisons, some of whom are serving life sentences.
According to Israeli media reports, the Israeli army has begun plans to begin withdrawing from parts of the Gaza Strip.
