Gaza - January 15, 2025 Storyline: Israel and Hamas have achieved a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal after intensive mediation efforts by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States, Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani announced Wednesday at a press briefing in Doha. The agreement includes an initial 42-day phase during which more than 15 months of fighting in Gaza will halt. The Israeli military will withdraw from populated areas to the outskirts of Gaza, allowing displaced Palestinians to return to their residence in the Gaza Strip. Humanitarian aid will flow in, with 600 trucks entering Gaza daily, including 50 carrying much-needed fuel to restore electricity in the territory, according to Israel's state-owned Kan TV news. Implementation of the agreement is set to begin on Sunday, Jan 19, with Hamas releasing 33 hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners during the first phase. Details of subsequent phases will be revealed later. In a joint statement issued by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States, the three mediators affirmed their role as guarantors of the ceasefire deal, saying they would help ensure that all three stages of the ceasefire will be fully implemented by both parties. The Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister said that this agreement differs from the one reached in Nov 2023, and he hopes it will lead to lasting peace in the Gaza Strip. He added that a follow-up mechanism will be established in Egypt to ensure the implementation of the agreement. Any violations of the agreement will be reported and addressed at a very early stage. Hamas issued an official statement on Wednesday night, saying that the agreement paves the way for the fulfillment of the Palestinian people's aspirations for liberation and return. The Israeli Security Cabinet and government are set to convene on Thursday for two consecutive meetings to vote on the deal. While Netanyahu is believed to have a majority, key coalition partners Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir have threatened to quit the government unless there is a clear commitment to resume fighting in Gaza after the hostages' return. Such a move could dissolve Netanyahu's majority, potentially triggering early elections. Israel's ceremonial President Isaac Herzog urged the government to approve the agreement, describing it as "the right, important, and necessary move". Since the outbreak of the ongoing Palestine-Israel conflict in Oct 2023, Israel and Hamas have participated in several rounds of negotiations mediated by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States. While a brief ceasefire in Nov 2023 facilitated the release of some detainees, subsequent talks have failed to secure a permanent ceasefire agreement. The latest round of ceasefire talks resumed in Doha on Jan 3. Shotlist: Khan Younis, Gaza Strip - Jan 15, 2025: 1. Various of locals celebrating Gaza ceasefire agreement between Israel, Hamas; Dora, Qatar - Jan 15, 2025: 2. Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani at press briefing; 3. Reporters, camera crew; 4. SOUNDBITE (English) Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister: "While the agreement on November was to build the momentum in order to lead for a longer-term agreement, which we have today, but unfortunately, the agreement in November was very transactional. So it was like a day-by-day [agreement]. But this agreement has a clear mechanism for the first 42 days. And there is a clear mechanism to negotiate phase two and three. And all the details of the agreement will be published in the next couple of days, once the details are finalized." Dora, Qatar - Recent: 5. National flag of Qatar; 6. Various of buildings, cityscape, traffic. [Restrictions : No access Chinese mainland]