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.”

Missile from Yemen intercepted after sirens in central Israel, Jerusalem * Israel publishes list of Palestinian prisoners to be freed in hostage deal's 1st phase

The long-awaited ceasefire and hostage release deal between the Israeli government and Hamas will take effect on Sunday, potentially signaling a new chapter in a bloody 15-month conflict that has enflamed the Middle East.