BLOG Qatari Prime Minister: Gaza ceasefire agreement will come into effect on Sunday, January 19th

Continuation of the crisis in the Middle East

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Celebration in Gaza, Photo: REUTERS
Celebration in Gaza, Photo: REUTERS
Disclaimer: The translations are mostly done through AI translator and might not be 100% accurate.
Finished
22: 02h

Waves of Israeli strikes hit Gaza this evening as news emerged that Israel and Hamas had reached a ceasefire agreement in exchange for hostages.

Israeli strikes hit Nuseirat in central Gaza and the Khan Younis area in the south, killing at least 11 people, according to hospital officials and the Gaza Civil Defense.

Three more people were killed when a family home in the Al-Daraj neighborhood in eastern Gaza City was hit, the Civil Defense said.

21: 57h

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk welcomed the news of the ceasefire agreement reached between Israel and Hamas, saying it held the promise of "enormous relief after so much unbearable pain and suffering."

"I felt immense relief at the news of the first phase of the ceasefire in Gaza and it is essential that it is maintained now," he said, calling on all parties to "do everything in their power to ensure the success of the next phases of the ceasefire."

"Food, water, medicine, shelter and protection are the top priorities. We have no time to waste," he added.

Turk also stressed the need to prosecute those responsible for the October 7 attacks, the unlawful killing of civilians in Gaza, and all other crimes under international law.

Philippe Lazarini, head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, said the agreement would "finally bring much-needed respite to the people of Gaza and the release of the hostages."

"What is needed is rapid, unhindered and uninterrupted humanitarian access and supplies to respond to the immense suffering caused by this war," said Lazarini.

21: 23h

The Committee to Protect Journalists has called on the Egyptian, Palestinian and Israeli authorities to immediately allow foreign journalists to enter Gaza, and for the international community to independently investigate the deliberate targeting of journalists, which they say has been widely documented since October 2023, reports the Guardian.

"Journalists have paid the ultimate price – their lives – to give the world a glimpse into the horrors unfolding in Gaza during this protracted war, which has destroyed a generation of Palestinian journalists and newsrooms," the statement said.

21: 11h

Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid released a video statement welcoming the ceasefire and hostage exchange agreement, thanking American, Qatari and Egyptian leaders – but not Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

"The entire nation is holding its breath tonight. We are all waiting and we are all praying, as it is written in the Book of Genesis: 'I am seeking my brothers.'" Lapid says in the video, wearing a yellow hostage armband and standing next to an Israeli flag.

"I want to express my immense gratitude, on behalf of the entire nation, to President (Donald) Trump and his team, President (Joe) Biden, the Qataris and the Egyptians. Thanks to them, this is happening - without them it would not have been possible," Lapid said.

"We must not stop now, and the deal cannot end with just the first phase. I promise, as I have before, a safety net until the very end, until the last moment, until the last hostage. Everyone must come home," he said.

Lapid did not thank Netanyahu or any member of his cabinet, with whom he had been at odds long before the war began, CNN reports.

21: 07h

The Palestinian Islamist organization Hamas announced today that it has accepted a ceasefire and hostage release agreement with Israel after 15 months of war sparked by an extremist attack on southern Israeli territory on October 7, 2023, Israeli media reported.

In a statement, Hamas said the ceasefire was the result of the legendary steadfastness of the great Palestinian people and the courageous resistance in the Gaza Strip.

Israeli media also reported that armed Hamas members were seen on the streets of the Gaza Strip, following the release of news that an agreement with Israel would be reached.

(BETA)

21: 06h

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres welcomed the announcement of a ceasefire and hostage exchange agreement between Hamas and Israel.

He praised mediators Qatar, Egypt and the United States for "their dedicated efforts in brokering this agreement."

He called on all parties to fulfill their obligations and fully implement the agreement, and said that the UN is ready to support its implementation.

He stressed that a ceasefire must remove obstacles to delivering aid to Gaza amid the "catastrophic" humanitarian situation in the enclave.

"This agreement is a crucial first step," he said.

21: 03h

Mediators in the ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas will establish a "mechanism for monitoring the implementation of the agreement" in Egypt, through which violations of the agreement will be reported, CNN reports.

"We expect the parties to respect the agreement and remain committed... but we know that such agreements are very complex and that certain problems will arise during implementation," said Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani.

Asked by reporters how mediators can guarantee that the agreement will not fall apart, the prime minister said the agreement contains "clear mechanisms for implementation," including what will happen during the first 42 days and "a clear mechanism for negotiating phases 2 and 3."

"We call for calm from today until the implementation of the agreement. The parties have decided that the agreement needs several days to be properly implemented... We hope that there will be no military operations or attacks in these days," Al Thani said.

He added that 33 hostages would be released from Gaza in the first phase of the agreement.

21: 01h

Israeli President Isaac Herzog issued a statement calling on Benjamin Netanyahu and the Israeli government to accept and approve the ceasefire agreement with Hamas.

"My sisters and brothers, citizens of Israel, this is a crucial moment... I offer my support to the Prime Minister and the negotiating team in their efforts to finalize this agreement and I call on the Cabinet and the Government of Israel to accept and approve it when it is presented - bringing our sons and daughters home."

"As the President of the State of Israel, I say this in the clearest terms - this is the right move. This is an important move. This is a necessary move. There is no greater moral, human, Jewish or Israeli obligation than to bring our sons and daughters back - whether to recover at home or to be buried," Herzog said.

20: 29h

Biden was asked how much credit for the ceasefire in Gaza goes to the incoming Trump administration.  

"This is literally the framework agreement that I proposed back in May. Literally," he replied, according to the Guardian.

He noted that US support for Israel helped weaken Hamas and create the conditions for reaching a ceasefire agreement.

He added that he told his team to be in "close coordination" with the incoming Trump team "so that we all speak with one voice, because that's what American presidents do."

As he left the room after the conference, a reporter shouted, "Who deserves credit for this, Mr. President, you or Trump?"

Biden turned around and replied, "Are you kidding?"

20: 23h

Biden said that the third phase of the ceasefire agreement would include the return of the remains of hostages who died in Gaza to their families, the Guardian reports.

The grand plan for the reconstruction of Gaza will begin in this third phase, he said.

"The path to this agreement was not easy. These are some of the most difficult negotiations I have ever experienced," he pointed out.

He attributed the agreement to Israeli pressure on Hamas, with US support, the death of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, the US-led coalition's response to Houthi attacks, the "significant" weakening of Hezbollah and the election of a new Lebanese president. 

"Overall, these events in the region, which the United States helped shape, are changing the calculus," he added.

Biden expressed "deep satisfaction that this day has come" for the people of Israel and the innocent people in Gaza. 

"The Palestinian people have been through hell. Too many innocent people have lost their lives. Too many communities have been destroyed. Under this agreement, the people of Gaza can finally begin to recover and rebuild. They can look to a future without Hamas in power," the US president said.

20: 21h

The news sparked excitement in both Israel and the Palestinian territories. Thousands of people in the Gaza Strip took to the streets to celebrate, AFP reporters reported from Deir al-Balah in the central Palestinian territory and elsewhere. People danced, hugged and took photos to commemorate the special moment.

In Israel, relatives and others demanding the release of the hostages hugged each other. Hundreds of people gathered in front of the military headquarters in Tel Aviv, Deutsche Welle reports.

20: 19h

Biden said that during the next six weeks of the first phase of the ceasefire, Israel will negotiate the necessary arrangements for the second phase - "a permanent end to the war."

The US president said there were "a certain number of details" that would need to be negotiated in order to move from phase one to phase two.

If the negotiations last longer than six weeks, the ceasefire will continue as long as the negotiations continue, he added.

The second phase will allow for an exchange for the release of all remaining living hostages, including soldiers.

Also, the second phase will include the withdrawal of all remaining Israeli forces from Gaza and the transformation of the temporary ceasefire into a permanent one, he said.

20: 15h

US President Joe Biden said it was a "very good afternoon" as he officially announced the agreement between Israel and Hamas, shortly after a temporary agreement to stop fighting in Gaza and the phased release of hostages and Palestinian prisoners, CNN reports.

"This is a very good afternoon, because I can finally announce that a ceasefire and hostage agreement have been reached between Israel and Hamas, after more than 15 months of conflict that began with the brutal Hezbollah massacre on October 7," Biden said, incorrectly stating which group launched the attack on October 7, 2023.

"More than 15 months of terror for the hostages, their families, the Israeli people. More than 15 months of suffering for the innocent people of Gaza. The fighting in Gaza will stop. And soon the hostages will return to their families," he added.

Biden's White House address, alongside Vice President Kamala Harris and Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, was broadcast as the Qatari prime minister confirmed that a deal had been reached.

19: 58h

The first phase of the ceasefire agreement, which will last 42 days, will include Israeli forces deployed along the Gaza border, Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said, according to the Guardian.

As part of this phase, Hamas will release 33 Israeli prisoners, including civilian women, children, the elderly, as well as civilians who are wounded or sick.

In return, Israel will release a certain number of prisoners held in Israeli prisons, he said.

That phase will include the return of displaced people to their homes, he added. It will also allow the wounded and sick to travel for treatment.

The first phase will include the increased flow of humanitarian aid to all parts of the Gaza Strip, as well as the rehabilitation of hospitals, health centers and bakeries.

It will also allow the entry of fuel and civil defense equipment, as well as basic necessities for displaced persons who have lost their homes due to the war.

Al Thani stated that the details of the second and third phases of the ceasefire agreement will be finalized during the implementation of the first phase.

He stressed "the necessity for both sides to commit to implementing all three phases of the agreement" in order to "prevent the shedding of civilian blood".

Qatar will continue its efforts together with Egypt and the US to ensure that all parties fulfill their obligations and commitments, he said.

The Qatari prime minister was asked whether pressure from the incoming Trump administration was key to reaching a ceasefire agreement.

Al Thani acknowledged that there had been "momentum" that had begun to build over the past month and that he had seen a "clear demonstration" of American commitment to reaching a deal in the past few days.

"We have seen the steps that the United States has taken recently that have led to this moment," he said.

19: 57h

European Union Commissioner for the Mediterranean Dubravka Suica said that the EU "remains committed to supporting all efforts towards lasting peace and reconstruction."

"I welcome the ceasefire and hostage exchange agreement between Israel and Hamas, which will bring much-needed relief to those affected by this devastating conflict," she wrote on social media.

19: 56h

Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani is holding a press conference in Doha, where he confirmed that a ceasefire agreement has been reached between Israel and Hamas, reports The Guardian.

The agreement will come into effect on Sunday, January 19, he said.

The first phase of the deal will last 42 days and will include a ceasefire and the withdrawal of Israeli forces to the east, away from populated areas, he added.

19: 54h

More photos showing Palestinian reactions to the ceasefire agreement:

Gaza
photo: REUTERS
Gaza
photo: REUTERS
Gaza
photo: REUTERS
19: 52h

The death toll in the Israeli attack on Jenin has risen to five, the Palestinian news agency Wafa reported, citing the Palestinian Ministry of Health.

19: 47h

Full statement from Benjamin Netanyahu's office:

"Thanks to Prime Minister Netanyahu's firm stance, Hamas dropped its demand at the last minute to change the deployment of forces along the Philadelphia Corridor. However, several clauses are still unresolved and we hope that the details will be finalized tonight."

19: 42h

The Palestinian ambassador to the UK, Husam Zomlot, welcomed the news of the ceasefire agreement after "15 months of mass killing and total devastation in Gaza," the Guardian reports.

"The world will see the extent of Israel's criminal and genocidal aggression. Now let the journey of healing begin, starting with burying our dead, caring for our wounded, providing basic human needs, and restoring livelihoods. The world must not fail us again," he wrote on the X platform.

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