Gaza Ceasefire Stalls Nine Months In: Negotiations Over Disarmament, Withdrawal Deadlocked
A US-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hamas that began in October 2025 has largely stalled in its second phase as of November 2026. The agreement called for a phased process: hostages and prisoners were exchanged in phase one, but phase two negotiations over Hamas disarmament and Israeli troop withdrawal have reached an impasse. In July 2026, Trump's Board of Peace announced a historic disarmament agreement, but Israel rejected it weeks later, demanding Hamas fully disarm before Israeli forces withdraw. Meanwhile, fighting has continued sporadically, with Israeli strikes killing at least 765 people since the ceasefire began, and disputes over whether either side is violating terms. Aid delivery has remained below agreed levels, and Gaza's governance transition to a technocratic Palestinian authority has made limited progress. The core disagreement centers on sequencing: Israel wants disarmament first, Hamas wants Israeli withdrawal first, creating a mutual distrust deadlock.
Key facts
- US-brokered ceasefire began October 2025; phase two negotiations stalled as of November 2026
- 20 Israeli hostages released; nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners released in phase one
- Israeli strikes killed at least 765 people since ceasefire took effect, according to Palestinian Ministry of Health
- Of 54,000 aid trucks planned for phase one, only 23,019 entered Gaza between October 2025 and January 2026
- July 2026 Board of Peace disarmament agreement proposed phased mutual obligations, but Israel rejected it in August
- Core dispute: Israel demands Hamas disarm first; Hamas demands Israeli withdrawal first before disarming
- Gaza's National Committee for Administration established, but lacks full Palestinian Authority governance transfer
How different outlets framed it
Left-leaning coverage: Left-leaning outlets stress Israel's repeated ceasefire violations, insufficient aid delivery, and Palestinian casualties. They highlight concerns about displacement plans and argue Israel is sabotaging peace by adding new conditions to negotiations. Sources like Al Jazeera and New Arab focus on humanitarian failures and Palestinian grievances.
Right-leaning coverage: Right-leaning analysts and Israeli officials argue Hamas continues rearming and violating the ceasefire despite commitments to disarm. They contend Israel cannot withdraw until Hamas poses no security threat, and some Israeli ministers reject any plan that doesn't guarantee Israeli security dominance.
Limits of this briefing
Recent reporting through November 1, 2026 shows ongoing strikes and negotiations, but the full scope of Israeli military actions and Palestinian armed group activities may not be independently verified. Regional political developments, including 2026 Iran-Israel tensions, have affected negotiation dynamics but may limit focus on Gaza-specific issues.
Sources
- Al Jazeera: US declares phase two of Gaza ceasefire, but what did phase one deliver? Left
- The New Arab: Gaza ceasefire talks return to square one amid escalation fears Left
- CNN: Israel rejects Trump's Gaza peace plan, saying no withdrawal until Hamas disarms Centre
- J Street: Nine Months In: Assessing the Status of the Gaza Ceasefire Left
- Council on Foreign Relations: A Guide to the Gaza Peace Deal Centre