Detailed: Gaza ceasefire, prisoner exchange deal unveiled

Following the publication of lists detailing Palestinian prisoners to be released under a prisoner exchange agreement and the Gaza ceasefire, Roya has reported on the exchange process, the timing of the ceasefire, and the mechanism for releasing prisoners.

Qatar Announces Ceasefire Timing

Qatar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that the Gaza ceasefire will take effect at 8:30 AM local time on Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025. A spokesperson for the ministry stated that the ceasefire follows an agreement between the involved parties and mediators, advising Gaza residents to remain cautious and follow official guidance.

Airspace and Activity Restrictions

Channel 12 in 'Israel' reported that a suspension of air activity in Gaza’s airspace will begin at 12 PM Sunday, lasting 12 hours on exchange days and 10 hours on regular days. 'Israeli' government approved the prisoner exchange deal late Friday night, which will come into effect on Sunday.

'Israeli' government convened an exceptional meeting lasting over 7 hours on Friday to approve the agreement, which was mediated by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States. 24 ministers voted in favor of the deal, while 8 opposed it.

Mechanism for Palestinian Prisoner Release

According to Hebrew newspaper Haaretz, the first phase of prisoner releases will follow specific conditions:

• For every living non-soldier 'Israeli' captive, 30 Palestinian prisoners (women or children) will be released.
• For every 'Israeli' captive over 50, 30 Palestinian prisoners over 50 or with health issues will be freed.
• For 9 captives who are ill or injured (non-soldiers), 110 Palestinian prisoners will be released.
• For every female 'Israeli' soldier, 50 Palestinian prisoners will be released.

Additionally, 60 Palestinian prisoners will be freed in exchange for the release of Avrahem Mengistu and Hisham al-Sayed, as well as 47 prisoners previously released under the 2011 Shalit deal and re-arrested.

Hamas Statement on Prisoner Lists

Hamas issued a statement clarifying that 'Israel’s' release of prisoner lists is part of its own legal procedures, and these lists are not official documents from resistance factions involved in the exchange. Hamas emphasized that the actual list of those to be released will be made public on the days of the exchange as per the agreed-upon ceasefire terms.

Statements from Palestinian Prisoner Organizations

On Saturday, the Palestinian Prisoners' Club and the Palestinian Prisoner Authority issued statements addressing the growing concerns about the prisoner lists. They clarified that the lists published by 'Israeli' authorities are not official and have been issued to complete 'Israel’s' own legal procedures.

The statement also confirmed that the number of prisoners to be released depends on the number held by resistance groups and their health condition. The names of those to be freed will be released gradually, in line with the process used in the Nov. 2023 releases.

'Israeli' Army Prepares for Implementation 

Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) issued a statement confirming its readiness to implement the agreement and begin the release of detainees on Sunday at 8:30 AM. The IOF stated that the operational plan would be executed as agreed and that it is prepared to manage the returning detainees from Gaza, providing both physical and psychological support.

The IOF also emphasized its continued efforts to maintain the security of settlers and residents around Gaza while ensuring the implementation of the prisoner exchange.