Qatar announces that the Gaza ceasefire agreement set to be implemented at 06:30 GMT on Sunday
Qatari officials announced that a ceasefire agreement between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas is set to take effect on Sunday morning at 06:30 GMT.
In an official statement on Saturday, Qatar’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Majed al-Ansari, announced on social media platform X that a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip has been scheduled to commence at 8:30 a.m. local time on Sunday, January 19. This development is the result of coordinated efforts by the parties involved in the agreement and the mediators.
The spokesperson additionally called on residents of Gaza to exercise the highest level of caution and to await authoritative instructions from official sources.
Khalil al-Hayya, the deputy head of Hamas’ Political Bureau, praised the people of Gaza for their resilience and determination amidst what he described as a 15-month-long conflict with Israel. Al-Hayya characterized the situation as a war of genocide against the isolated region.
He stated that the ceasefire agreement has been achieved due to the remarkable resilience of the Palestinian people and the determined resistance efforts in the Gaza Strip over the last 15 months.
He stated that the Israeli government consented to the agreement following a series of retaliatory actions launched by Palestinian resistance factions.
He expressed gratitude towards the Islamic Republic, Lebanon’s Hezbollah movement, Yemeni armed forces, and the Iraqi resistance.
An authoritative figure has lauded Hezbollah for its significant contributions, acknowledging the organization’s sacrifice of “hundreds of martyrs, leaders, and fighters in the pursuit of liberating the occupied holy city of al-Quds,” with a particular mention of the leadership provided by the group’s Secretary-General, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah.
The official addressed the numerous retaliatory actions carried out by the group in coordination with Yemeni forces and Iraqi combatants, in response to the Israeli regime’s intensified military offensive against Gaza and its concurrent heightened aggression towards Lebanon.
He extended his gratitude to Palestinian resistance fighters in the occupied West Bank, highlighting their efforts in the Jenin refugee camp, al-Quds, and within the occupied territories. Their actions have also exerted pressure on the occupiers amidst ongoing conflicts.
The Palestinian Islamic Jihad has issued a statement declaring that the unwavering determination and courage of their people and fighters are compelling the establishment of a dignified agreement. This agreement aims to halt the hostilities, ensure the withdrawal of Israeli forces, and facilitate a respectful exchange of prisoners.
The organization paid tribute to the esteemed martyrs of Gaza, pledging to exhaust every resource to support the inhabitants of the region and to address the challenges that lie ahead.
