Sunday, January 19, 2025
07:13 GMT — Israel says Gaza truce delayed until list of hostages arrives
The Israeli Army Radio reported on Sunday that the ceasefire in Gaza, scheduled to begin at 8.30 am local time (0630 GMT), will not commence until the list of hostages to be released is received.
Hamas, meanwhile, confirmed its adherence to the terms of the ceasefire agreement with Israel.
In a statement, the Palestinian group stated that it "reaffirms its commitment to the terms of the ceasefire agreement".
06:43 GMT — Israel army warns Gaza residents against approaching forces, buffer zone
The Israeli army warned Gaza residents not to approach its forces or make any movement towards the buffer zone ahead of a ceasefire taking effect.
"We urge you not to head towards the buffer zone or IDF forces for your safety," military spokesman Avichay Adraee said on Telegram.
"At this stage, heading towards the buffer zone or moving from south to north via Gaza Valley puts you at risk. Anyone heading towards these areas endangers themselves."
06:15 GMT — Gaza ceasefire set to begin
A ceasefire in Palestine's Gaza is set to come into effect with a hostage release to follow hours later, opening the way to a possible end to a 15-month Israeli war that has upended the Middle East.
Israeli forces started withdrawing from areas in Gaza's Rafah to the Philadelphi corridor along the border between Egypt and Gaza, Palestinian media reported.
The ceasefire agreement followed months of on-off negotiations brokered by Egypt, Qatar and the United States, and came just ahead of the January 20 inauguration of US President-elect Donald Trump.
The three-stage ceasefire will come into effect at 0630 GMT.
05:31 GMT — Israel reportedly withdrawing from Rafah to Philadelphi corridor
Israeli soldiers have reportedly begun to withdraw from areas in besieged Gaza's Rafah to the Philadelphi corridor along the border between Egypt and Gaza, the Reuters news agency said.
05:10 GMT — Houthis warn against any aggression during Gaza ceasefire
Yemen's Houthis warned what they called "hostile forces in the Red Sea" to avoid "any aggression" against Yemen, a ceasefire in Gaza.
"The Yemeni Armed Forces warn the enemy forces in the Red Sea of the consequences of any aggression against our country during the ceasefire period in Gaza," the group said in a statement.
"They will confront any aggression with specific military operations against those forces without a ceiling or red lines."
04:55 GMT — Trump says Gaza ceasefire 'better hold'
US President-elect Donald Trump has said that the Gaza ceasefire and hostage-prisoner swap deal between Israel and Hamas "better hold", warning that if it does not, "all hell will break out",
When asked about the likelihood of the deal's success in a phone interview with NBC News, Trump responded: "Well, we're going to see very soon, and it better hold."
The president-elect stressed the importance of "respect" for the US in ensuring the agreement holds.
04:22 GMT — Lebanon's president reaffirms UN's Guterres commitment to Israel's withdrawal within deadline
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun stressed Lebanon's commitment to Israel's withdrawal from occupied southern territories within the timeline set by a ceasefire agreement, which is set to expire in seven days.
A statement came during Aoun's meeting with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres at the presidential palace in Baabda in eastern Beirut.
The Lebanese presidency noted that discussions focused on developments.
Aoun reiterated Lebanon's insistence on the withdrawal of Israeli forces from its occupied territories in the south, as stipulated in the agreement reached on November 27.
04:12 GMT — International Committee of the Red Cross says Gaza ceasefire, hostage deal marks 'new beginning'
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said that a ceasefire and release of hostages agreement between Israel and Hamas would mark "a new beginning", and it is preparing for the "significant" operation.
"The ICRC, as agreed by the parties, is preparing for a significant operation that involves the release and transfer of both hostages and detainees, as well as increased humanitarian assistance into Gaza," it said in a statement.
"This operation is an emotional time for many — our focus is on completing this first phase as safely and efficiently as possible, so we can see families reunited, and critical humanitarian assistance enter Gaza and reach civilians."
03:41 GMT — Israeli army threatens Palestinians in Gaza against movement between northern, southern enclave
The Israeli army threatened residents in besieged Gaza against moving between the northern and southern parts of the enclave or approaching areas of its military presence.
The army claimed that its forces would remain deployed in specific areas within the Gaza.
"Based on the agreement, the Israeli forces will remain deployed in designated areas of the Gaza Strip," it said in a statement.
"Approaching the forces puts you at risk."
03:21 GMT — Palestine's Islamic Jihad group urges support for Gaza following genocide
The head of the Palestinian resistance group, Islamic Jihad, urged Arab and Islamic nations to stand by besieged Gaza following a 15-month Israeli genocide.
Ziad al Nakhala urged Arab and Islamic nations "to stand by our people, and we are confident that they will not abandon us".
He emphasised during a televised speech the importance of achieving Palestinian unity, solidarity and cooperation to meet the needs of Gaza's residents in light of the destruction and suffering caused by the war.
02:50 GMT — Egypt sets up operations room to oversee implementation of Gaza ceasefire agreement
Egypt officially announced the establishment of a joint operations room to monitor the implementation of the Gaza ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, facilitate the entry of aid into the blockaded enclave, and oversee the movement of people.
The statement read: "Cairo announces the success of the arduous Egyptian efforts exerted since the start of the Gaza crisis on October 7, 2023, in cooperation with our regional and international partners, to reach a ceasefire agreement."
It emphasised Egypt's commitment to coordinating with its partners Qatar and the US to ensure the agreement's stability and full implementation by establishing a joint operations room.
For our live updates from Saturday, January 18, 2025, click here.