The ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip officially came into effect on Sunday morning, marking the end of 471 days of relentless military aggression by Israeli occupation forces on the besieged enclave.
Initially scheduled to start at 8:30 AM, the ceasefire was delayed after the Israeli occupation army insisted that Hamas fulfill its commitments, including submitting the list of female detainees set to be released.
Airstrikes on Gaza continued until Zionist Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office confirmed that the ceasefire would commence at 11:15 AM local time (9:15 GMT).
The Israeli enemy later confirmed it had received the list of hostages set to be released in the first phase of the prisoner exchange, a key component of the agreement.
Celebrations Erupt Across Gaza
As the ceasefire took hold, joyful chants and celebrations echoed throughout Gaza. Residents poured into the streets, celebrating the end of the devastation and expressing support for the resistance. In central Gaza, crowds marched with slogans praising the resilience of the Palestinian people.
In the north and Rafah, displaced families began returning to their homes, many of which bear the scars of the conflict. Meanwhile, security forces were deployed across the Strip to maintain order and safeguard public and private property.
First Moments After Ceasefire in Gaza: Residents Celebrate with Civil Defense and Medical Teams
Hamas Affirms Commitment to Ceasefire Terms
The Islamic Resistance Movement Hamas announced its full commitment to the ceasefire terms on Sunday morning, addressing the delay in submitting the prisoner release list as being due to technical and logistical reasons.
The group hailed the agreement as “a testament to the heroic endurance of the Palestinian people and the steadfastness of Gaza’s resistance over 15 months of aggression.”
Comprehensive Plan to Restore Life
On Saturday, the Palestinian government in Gaza unveiled a comprehensive plan to gradually restore normal life following the ceasefire. The plan, led by police and municipal authorities, aims to secure damaged areas, provide humanitarian assistance, and ensure the safety of residents.
Specialized teams from government ministries and agencies have been mobilized to assess damage, deliver aid, and meet essential needs. Police forces have been deployed across all provinces, while municipal workers began clearing and repairing roads as part of the recovery effort.
In a statement on Sunday, the government emphasized its readiness to implement measures that will facilitate the swift and orderly return to normal life, ensuring the safety and well-being of all citizens.
The Palestinian government also urged citizens to rely solely on official sources for information, warning against rumors and misinformation spread by Israeli enemy media outlets.
Additionally, the government called on residents to exercise caution while traveling between areas and provinces, noting that the return of displaced families would commence seven days after the ceasefire takes effect.
Municipal and public works teams have begun clearing rubble and reopening roads across various areas of the Gaza Strip. pic.twitter.com/cxUHW81ceD
— Quds News Network (@QudsNen) January 19, 2025
Citizens were also advised to avoid destroyed areas to mitigate potential dangers. The statement emphasized staying clear of bombed homes to prevent sudden collapses and warned against approaching unexploded ordnance or suspicious objects.
Authorities further highlighted the importance of adhering to safety guidelines and raising public awareness to ensure the well-being of all residents during the recovery period.
Within the Al-Aqsa Flood Deal, Hamas to Release 3 Zionist Captives
The military wing of Hamas, Al-Qassam Brigades, announced on Sunday the planned release of three Zionist captives as part of the prisoner exchange agreement known as the “Al-Aqsa Flood Deal.”
In an official statement, spokesperson Abu Obaida confirmed the decision, adding that the names of the captives had been handed over to Egyptian and Qatari mediators.
BREAKING: Abu Obaida, the military spokesperson for the Al-Qassam Brigades, announced that as part of the prisoner exchange deal, the Al-Qassam Brigades has decided to release the following Israeli prisoners today, Sunday, January 19, 2025:
1. Rumi Jonin (24 years old)
2. Emily… pic.twitter.com/aa6wPJmbR8— Quds News Network (@QudsNen) January 19, 2025
Zionist Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office later acknowledged receiving the list of names, confirming that the exchange process would proceed on Sunday.
Ceasefire Delayed Amid Continued Bombardment
Although the Israeli occupation military received orders to enforce a ceasefire in Gaza, the implementation was delayed by over two hours beyond the officially announced start time of 8:30 AM. Despite the agreement, the Israeli warplanes launched airstrikes on Gaza, resulting in multiple casualties.
The strikes, reportedly ordered by Netanyahu himself, claimed the lives of several Palestinians and left at least 25 others injured. Following the attacks, Netanyahu’s office unilaterally announced a new ceasefire timing, setting it to take effect at 11:15 AM.
Nine Palestinians Martyred in Ongoing Attacks
Israeli bombardments on Sunday morning claimed the lives of nine Palestinians and injured dozens across various parts of Gaza. Five Palestinians were martyred and others were wounded in an airstrike targeting the Al-Shuja’iya neighborhood in eastern Gaza City. Artillery shelling in Beit Lahia, northern Gaza, claimed the lives of four more individuals. Meanwhile, in Rafah and Khan Younis, several residents sustained injuries as Israeli occupation forces fired at civilians attempting to return to their homes.
Israeli enemy artillery and ground forces continued to target neighborhoods in Gaza City, including Al-Zaytoun and Al-Shuja’iya, intensifying hostilities even after the delayed ceasefire was supposed to take effect.
According to Maha Bseiso, spokesperson for Gaza’s Civil Defense, the death toll since the announcement of the ceasefire stands at nine, with over 25 injured.
Details of Gaza Ceasefire Agreement
Qatari Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani announced last Wednesday that an agreement had been reached to implement a ceasefire in Gaza. The first phase of the agreement, lasting 42 days, includes the release of 33 Zionist captives in exchange for over 1,000 Palestinian prisoners.
The deal consists of three phases, each spanning 42 days, with specific provisions for each stage:
Phase One: Immediate Ceasefire
The first phase enforces a halt to all military operations and requires the withdrawal of Israeli occupation forces from populated areas within Gaza. It also includes the daily delivery of 600 trucks of humanitarian aid, the gradual release of 33 Zionist captives, and the reopening of the Rafah border crossing seven days after the agreement’s implementation.
A Givati Brigade unit from the Israeli occupation army withdrew overnight from northern Gaza, just hours before the ceasefire agreement was set to take effect. pic.twitter.com/ZBFLDN2RHY
— Quds News Network (@QudsNen) January 19, 2025
Phase Two: Sustained Calm and Further Prisoner Exchanges
In the second phase, both parties commit to ensuring lasting peace. Additional exchanges of prisoners are planned, along with the full withdrawal of Israeli enemy forces from Gaza.
Phase Three: Reconstruction and Normalization
The final phase focuses on Gaza’s long-term recovery, with reconstruction efforts scheduled to span three to five years. This phase includes the exchange of remains between the two sides and the reopening of all border crossings, ensuring the free movement of people and goods.
The genocidal war launched by the Israeli enemy on Gaza has left a catastrophic toll. More than 46,000 Palestinians were martyred, with over 110,000 others injured. The remains of more than 11,000 martyrs remain buried under rubble, highlighting the immense scale of destruction and loss inflicted on the region.
Source: Al-Manar Website
