Egypt has expressed its gratitude to Qatar for its continuous and fruitful co-ordination to ensure reaching a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip a

Qatar says the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas will go into effect at 8:30 a.m. local time (0630 GMT) on Sunday

Egypt, Qatar, and the US issued a joint statement on Wednesday on the agreement reached between Israel and Hamas for the exchange of prisoners and detainees and the establishment of sustainable calm,

After months of negotiations between Hamas and Israel -- with the United States, Egypt and Qatar serving as intermediaries -- a ceasefire negotiation has been reached in the war in Gaza. The agreement will go into effect on Sunday,

Egypt calls for immediate implementation of a Gaza ceasefire plan between Israel and Hamas, following mediator efforts by the US, Qatar, and Egypt. Talks are set to commence in Cairo to ensure the deal's execution.

The first phase, spanning a 42-day ceasefire, would see the exchange of 33 Israeli hostages in Gaza for Palestinians held in Israeli prisons, U.S. officials said.

Hundreds of trucks have lined up on the Egyptian side of the Rafah border crossing – previously a vital entry point for aid that has been closed since May, when Israeli forces seized the Palestinian s

Israel is sending the head of the country's intelligence service to Qatar to engage in negotiations to free remaining hostages held by Hamas, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office confirmed on Saturday.

During a weeklong ceasefire between Hamas and Israel in late November 2023, Hamas freed more than 100 people. In exchange, Israel released more than 200 Palestinians from Israeli prisons. Several hostages in Gaza have also been freed in the months since, while the bodies of others have been recovered.

The ceasefire between Hamas and Israel will go into effect on Sunday at 8:30 a.m. local time (0630 GMT), mediator Qatar announced on Saturday (January 18, 2025), as families of hostages held in Gaza braced for news of loved ones, Palestinians prepared to receive freed detainees and humanitarian groups rushed to set up a surge of aid.

For many Israelis, the ceasefire offers a brief respite from relentless conflict. The return of hostages has provided closure for families and a temporary sense of relief. However, the broader objectives of dismantling Hamas and ensuring lasting security continue to elude Israel.