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.

The first phase of the ceasefire, set to last 42 days, will see the exchange of 33 hostages for 737 Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. Negotiations for the second phase of the ceasefire are scheduled to begin after two weeks,

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,