A rally was held in Tel Aviv, Israel, on January 15, 2025, demanding the return of prisoners held in Gaza, as people reacted to reports of a possible ceasefire and hostage release deal in Gaza.
Amir Levy | Getty Images News | Getty Images
Qatar’s foreign ministry said a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas would come into effect at 0630 GMT on Sunday.
The ceasefire would halt fighting after 15 months of war and release dozens of hostages held by militants in Gaza and hundreds of Palestinians imprisoned by Israel.
Israel’s cabinet approved the deal early Saturday; the first hostages will be released after the ceasefire.
The ceasefire, the second in the devastating conflict, follows months of indirect talks between the warring sides brokered by U.S., Qatari and Egyptian mediators.
Israel’s war against Hamas has killed more than 46,000 people in Gaza, mostly women and children, according to Gaza’s health ministry. It did not say how many of the dead were militants. Israel says it has killed more than 17,000 militants but has provided no evidence.
Under the deal, 33 hostages will be released within the next six weeks in exchange for hundreds of Palestinians imprisoned by Israel.
The remaining personnel, including male soldiers, will be released in the second phase, while negotiations will take place in the first phase. Hamas says it will not release the remaining prisoners without a lasting ceasefire and a full Israeli withdrawal.
Hamas agreed to release three hostages on the first day of the deal, four on the seventh and the remaining 26 over the next five weeks.
