Ankara: Qatar's Foreign Ministry announced on Saturday that the ceasefire agreement for the Gaza Strip will go into effect at 8:30 a.m. local time (0630GMT) on Sunday, Jan. 19. Ministry spokesperson Majed Al-Ansari confirmed the development on X: "As coordinated by the parties to the agreement and the mediators, the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip will begin at 8:30 a.m. on Sunday, January 19, local time in Gaza." He advised the residents to take precaution and wait for directions from official sources.

According to Anadolu Agency, the Israeli army also issued a statement confirming its readiness to implement the deal. The statement indicated that the agreement would take effect on Sunday, January 19, at 08:30, and noted that Israeli forces would carry out the operational plan in the field in accordance with the established agreements.

Meanwhile, the Interior and National Security Ministry in Gaza announced preparations to deploy its forces in the enclave once the ceasefire enters into force. The ceasefire agreement, announced by Qatar on Wednesday, aims to end more than 15 months of deadly Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip. The ceasefire is scheduled to take effect on Sunday.

Nearly 46,900 Palestinians, mostly women and children, have been killed and more than 110,600 injured in Israel's war on Gaza since Oct. 7, 2023, as reported by local health authorities. The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants in November for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its actions in the enclave.