CAIRO — A ceasefire between Hamas and Israel is set to commence at 8:30 a.m. local time (0630 GMT) on Sunday, as announced by Qatari mediators on Saturday. Families of hostages in Gaza are anxiously awaiting updates about their loved ones, while Palestinians are gearing up to welcome those who will be released, and humanitarian organizations are mobilizing to deliver critical aid.
In a national address delivered just before the ceasefire was to begin, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu referred to the truce as a temporary measure and affirmed that Israel retains the right to respond militarily if the situation demands. Netanyahu claimed support from U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, who reportedly advised him to continue his military efforts.
Netanyahu asserted that he had brokered the best possible deal, while Itamar Ben-Gvir, Israel’s far-right Public Security Minister, announced that he and a majority of his party intended to resign from the government in protest. Prior to the ceasefire, the prime minister emphasized that it would not proceed unless Israel received the identities of hostages to be freed, which was expected from Qatari mediators, although no immediate response had been given by either Qatar or Hamas.
The Israeli Cabinet’s late-night approval of the ceasefire deal occurred during the Jewish Sabbath, stirring a wave of emotions among families as they wondered whether their loved ones would be released alive. This prompted families and thousands of supporters to rally once again in Tel Aviv on Saturday evening, echoing sentiments of hope and concern. “Please keep going and saving lives,” urged Anat Angrest, a mother with a son still captive in Gaza.
This pause in the ongoing conflict marks an effort to halt what has been the most violent and destructive fighting between Israel and Hamas. The agreement reflects significant pressure from both Trump and the outgoing administration of President Joe Biden ahead of Monday’s inauguration.
The initial phase of the ceasefire is set to last 42 days, while discussions for the more complex second phase are expected to start a little over two weeks into the truce. Following these six weeks, Israel’s security cabinet will assess the situation to determine further actions.
Despite the impending ceasefire, Israeli airstrikes persisted on Saturday, resulting in additional casualties; Gaza’s health ministry reported that 23 bodies had been received at hospitals over the past 24 hours. “What is this truce that kills us hours before it begins?” questioned Abdallah Al-Aqad, who lost a relative to an airstrike in Khan Younis.
Simultaneously, sirens were activated in central and southern Israel as the military reported intercepting projectiles believed to have originated from Yemen, where Houthi rebels have intensified their attacks in solidarity with the Palestinian cause.
During the first phase of the ceasefire, Israeli forces are instructed to withdraw to a buffer zone approximately a kilometer wide inside Gaza along the borders. With many Gazans currently residing in inadequate conditions within overcrowded tent camps, there is an urgent desire to return home, although much of the infrastructure has been severely damaged.
In a post on social media platform X, Qatar’s foreign minister advised caution to Palestinians regarding the ceasefire and urged them to await direction from officials. The Israeli military indicated that Palestinians would be restricted from crossing the Netzarim corridor in central Gaza for the first week of the ceasefire and warned against approaching Israeli troops.
Amidst these restrictions, anticipation for the ceasefire is palpable. “The first thing I will do is go and check my house,” expressed Mohamed Mahdi, a father of two displaced from Gaza City’s Zaytoun neighborhood, also expressing concern for the safety of his family in the region.
For families like Majida Abu Jarad’s, who have been displaced multiple times during the conflict, the ceasefire brings a glimmer of hope. “We will remain in a tent, but the difference is that the bleeding will stop, the fear will stop, and we will sleep reassured,” she said while preparing for what they hoped would be a more peaceful existence.
As part of the initial ceasefire conditions, a total of 33 hostages in Gaza are scheduled to be released over six weeks in exchange for 737 Palestinian prisoners in Israeli custody. The list of prisoners has been made public by Israel’s justice ministry, focusing on younger individuals and women. There are plans to legally challenge the release of these prisoners.
The exchange is set to commence at 4 p.m. (1400 GMT) on Sunday, with the first three female hostages slated for return on Day 1, followed by additional releases in the subsequent week. Among those expected to be freed is Kfir Bibas, the youngest hostage, whose family observed his second birthday while he remains captive.
During each exchange, Palestinian prisoners will be set free once the hostages arrive safely. Additionally, 1,167 Gaza residents not involved in the October 7 Hamas-led attacks that initiated the current conflict will be released, with all women and children under 19 also being freed during this phase.
Prerequisites for the second phase, which still requires negotiation, include the release of remaining hostages, including male soldiers. Hamas has made it clear that it will not relinquish the captives without a lasting ceasefire and a complete withdrawal of Israeli forces.
Gaza is also expected to receive a considerable influx of food, medical supplies, and humanitarian assistance. Egypt’s foreign minister announced that the Rafah crossing, a critical entry point for Gaza, will soon become operational. This crossing has been closed since Israel’s military operations resumed last May, and it is anticipated that around 600 trucks, including 50 fuel trucks, will begin entering Gaza daily during the ceasefire.
According to the approved ceasefire plan from Israel’s Cabinet, all incoming trucks will undergo inspection by Israeli authorities. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres acknowledged the ongoing complexities and challenges remaining for effective aid distribution in Gaza.
The conflict, triggered by Hamas’s attacks in 2023, resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths and left around 250 individuals captive. Estimates indicate that nearly 100 hostages are still being held in Gaza, while Israeli military responses have reportedly taken the lives of over 46,000 Palestinians, a figure provided by local health officials who do not separate combatants from civilians, although women and children represent more than half of the casualties.
