Sun Jan 19 08:35:50 UTC 2025: ## Gaza Truce Announced: 42-Day Ceasefire to Begin, Hostages Exchanged

**GAZA CITY/JERUSALEM** – A 42-day ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip is set to begin Sunday at 8:30 am (0630 GMT), mediated by Qatar. The agreement involves the exchange of 33 Israeli hostages held by Palestinian militant groups for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. The deal comes after weeks of intense negotiations and follows a period of heavy fighting that has devastated Gaza and claimed tens of thousands of lives.

The ceasefire was announced by Qatar’s foreign ministry, but initial reports indicated a delay due to outstanding issues regarding the list of hostages held by Hamas. However, Hamas has since submitted the list, paving the way for the truce.

Despite the imminent ceasefire, violence continued on the eve of the agreement. Israeli airstrikes killed at least five members of a family in Khan Yunis, according to Gaza’s civil defense agency. In a related development, Yemen’s Huthi rebels launched missiles at Israel in a show of support for the Palestinians.

This marks the second truce in the conflict, following a shorter ceasefire in November 2023. The October 7th Hamas attacks, which killed approximately 1,200 Israelis, mostly civilians, and resulted in the capture of 251 hostages, triggered the conflict. Israel’s subsequent counteroffensive has, according to the Hamas-run health ministry, resulted in the deaths of 46,899 people in Gaza, the majority civilians.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that Israel had fundamentally altered the Middle East since the war began, but warned of a forceful response if the ceasefire is violated. Hamas, conversely, asserted that Israel failed to achieve its military objectives and committed war crimes.

The ceasefire coincides with the impending inauguration of Donald Trump for a second term as US President. Trump, in recent media appearances, stated that he urged Netanyahu to end the war. US officials revealed that an unusual collaboration between Brett McGurk, representing outgoing President Joe Biden, and Trump envoy Steve Witkoff was instrumental in finalizing the agreement.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas announced the Palestinian Authority’s readiness to assume full responsibility for Gaza after the war, a position Israel has not yet publicly addressed. Israel has ruled out any role for Hamas or the Palestinian Authority in post-conflict governance.

Meanwhile, displaced Gazans expressed their eagerness to return to their homes, highlighting the immense human cost of the conflict.

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