Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani confirmed that a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas has been reached. The agreement will come into force on Sunday, January 19.
The first phase of the agreement will last 42 days and will include a ceasefire and the withdrawal of Israeli forces to the east of the enclave, away from populated areas.
Hamas will also release 33 Israeli hostages, including women, children, elderly people and civilians who are injured or ill. In return, Israel will release a certain number of prisoners held in Israeli prisons.
The initial phase of the agreement will also include increasing the flow of humanitarian aid to all parts of the Gaza Strip, in addition to the renovation of hospitals, health centers and bakeries.
In addition, the entry of fuel and civil defense equipment will be allowed, as well as basic needs for displaced people who lost their homes as a result of the war.
Qatar’s prime minister said details of phase two and three of the ceasefire agreement will be finalized during the implementation of phase one.
He emphasized the “need for both parties to commit to implementing all three steps of the agreement” to “prevent civilian bloodshed.”
Qatar will continue its efforts with Egypt and the US to ensure that all parties fulfill their commitments and engagements, the prime minister said.
Asked whether pressure from US President-elect Donald Trump influenced the conclusion of the ceasefire agreement, Al Thani acknowledged that there was a “momentum” that began to build last month and that he saw a “clear demonstration” of the commitment of the US in reaching an agreement in recent days.
“We have seen steps that have been taken recently by the US that have led to this moment,” he said.
