– Qatari PM says the ceasefire will take effect on Sunday, January 19
Israel and Hamas have agreed a ceasefire starting on Sunday to halt the devastating 15-month war in Gaza, Qatar’s Prime Minister says.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani said the deal will lead to the release of Israeli captives and a surge in humanitarian aid to Gaza.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said earlier that several clauses in Gaza deal remained “unresolved” but hoped to “finalise [them] tonight”.
Earlier on Wednesday, Israeli forces stepped up attacks on Gaza, bombing a school-turned-shelter and several homes across the Strip, and killing at least 62 people over the latest 24-hour reporting period.
Israel’s war in Gaza has killed at least 46,707 Palestinians and wounded 110,265 since October 7, 2023.
At least 1,139 people were killed in Israel during the Hamas-led attacks that day and more than 200 were taken captive.