DOHA - A ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip will take effect at 8.30am (2.30pm Singapore time) on Jan 19, said Qatar, which helped mediate the deal. Israel’s Cabinet voted on Jan 18 to approve the Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal, ending days of uncertainty about whether the deal would go into effect this weekend.

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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.”