JERUSALEM - A ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war is to begin on Sunday at 6.30 GMT (1.30pm Thailand time), with three Israeli hostages to be released from captivity in return for a first group of Palestinian prisoners.

The cease-fire between Hamas and Israel will go into effect 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.

Israel and Hamas agreed to a provisional ceasefire deal after 15 months of war, raising countless questions about the future for both sides.