Decision on where to send the prisoners is coordinated with Israel, officials tell ToI; Hamas said to vow Fatah and PFLP terror chiefs will be released in ceasefire's 2nd phase The post Qatar, Turkey to host Palestinian murder convicts freed in hostage deal — officials appeared first on The Times of Israel.

Early Saturday morning, Israel’s Cabinet approved the deal for a ceasefire in Gaza that would release dozens of hostages and pause the 15-month war with Hamas, bringing the sides a step closer to ending their deadliest and most destructive fighting ever.

Qatar’s prime minister on Wednesday announced a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, pausing the devastating 15-month war in Gaza and clearing the way for dozens of Israeli hostages to go home.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken had said the U.S. wanted a ceasefire deal in Gaza and all remaining captives released before Donald Trump takes office on Jan. 20.

Israel and Hamas have agreed a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal following 15 months of war, mediators Qatar and the US say. Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdul Rahman Al Thani said the agreement would come into effect on Sunday so long as it was approved by the Israeli cabinet.

Mediator Qatar says the ceasefire between Hamas and Israel will go into effect Sunday at 8:30 a.m. local time.