Qatar, Egypt, Us Commit To Ensuring Gaza Ceasefire's Implementation

​​​ISTANBUL, Jan 16 (Bernama-AA) -- Qatar, Egypt, and the United States (US) vowed Wednesday to guarantee the implementation of a Gaza ceasefire agreement between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas, which is expected to come into effect on Jan 19, Anadolu Agency (AA) reported.

The three countries announced that “the parties to the conflict in Gaza have reached an agreement to release hostages in exchange for hostages and prisoners and a return to a sustainable calm ultimately achieving a permanent cease-fire between the parties,” according to a Qatari Foreign Ministry statement.

“The agreement is expected to come into effect as of 19 January 2025,” the joint statement added.

“The agreement reached by the two parties includes three stages.

“The first stage, lasting 42 days, involves a ceasefire, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from populated areas, the exchange of hostages and prisoners, the return of displaced Palestinians to their homes, and the departure of patients and wounded for treatment,” the statement said.

It also covers the large-scale delivery of humanitarian aid, including medical supplies, food, fuel and shelter materials.

Hospitals, health centres, and bakeries will be rehabilitated, while civil defence supplies will also be brought in.

The three countries affirmed their role as guarantors to ensure all stages of the agreement are implemented fully.

The mediators will coordinate with the UN and international partners to oversee the process and support the flow of aid into Gaza. They also urged other countries to join efforts under the mechanisms established to implement the agreement.

The mediators further noted that the agreement includes the exchange of remains of the deceased, alongside the release of prisoners and detainees, as part of the first phase of implementation.

The redeployment of Israeli forces is specified to occur outside densely populated areas, underscoring the effort to reduce military presence in civilian zones.

Additionally, the agreement will ensure the provision of shelter supplies for those displaced due to the conflict, addressing the urgent need for stable housing in Gaza.

The mediators also issued a call to the international community to support these efforts under established mechanisms, ensuring the smooth execution of the agreement and contributing to long-term stability in the region, added the joint statement.

-- BERNAMA-AA