Israeli Occupation Delays Ceasefire Implementation Until Prisoner List Is Delivered

RAMALLAH, Jan 19 (Bernama-WAFA) -- Israeli occupation authorities have announced that the ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip, which was scheduled to take effect at 8.30 am Sunday, will not be implemented until the list of Israeli female prisoners to be released is provided, Palestine News and Info Agency (WAFA) reported.

The agreement, which was announced by Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani on Wednesday (Jan 15), was ratified by the Israeli government on Saturday (Jan 18).

According to the agreement, the ceasefire was set to begin at 8.30 am Sunday.

The ceasefire deal is to be executed in three phases, with the first phase lasting 42 days, during which further details of the second and third phases will be negotiated.

However, despite the initial announcement, Israeli officials have made it clear that the ceasefire will not proceed until the list of female detainees, who are part of the release plan, is submitted.

Since the agreement was announced on Wednesday, more than 200 Palestinians, the majority of whom were women and children, have lost their lives in Gaza.

The ceasefire agreement follows mounting international pressure as the Israeli aggression caused widespread devastation in Gaza, with nearly 80 percent of residential buildings completely or partially destroyed.

According to humanitarian organisations, over 46,899 Palestinians have been killed and over 110,725 others injured since the aggression began, with thousands of homes and vital infrastructure reduced to rubble in Gaza.

Key terms of the agreement include an immediate 42-day cessation of hostilities, the opening of Gaza's crossings for humanitarian aid, the gradual exchange of prisoners, and the reconstruction of Gaza under international supervision. 

-- BERNAMA-WAFA