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.

Mediator Qatar said Wednesday that Israel and Hamas had agreed to a ceasefire in Gaza starting on Sunday and a hostage and prisoner exchange after 15 months of war. Thirty-three Israeli hostages will be released in the first phase of the agreement that could become a “permanent ceasefire”,

Israel and Hamas agree to a ceasefire and hostage deal to take effect on Jan. 19:: Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Prime Minister of Qatar:::: Doha, Qatar"It gives us great pleasure in Qatar,