CAIRO — The cease-fire between Hamas and Israel will go into effect Sunday at 8:30 a.m. local time, mediator Qatar announced Saturday, as families of hostages held in Gaza braced for news of loved ones, Palestinians prepared to receive freed detainees, and humanitarian groups rushed to set up a surge of aid.

UN chief Antonio Guterres has welcomed the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, describing the deal as a "critical first step and urging parties to seize this opportunity to establish a credible political path to a better future for Palestinians,

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed support on Sunday for the implementation of a ceasefire and hostage release in Gaza. "I welcome the start of the implementation of the ceasefire and hostage release in Gaza," Guterres stated in a post on X.