Gaza Ceasefire Stalls in Phase Two as Israel, Hamas Disagree on Disarmament
Since October 2025, Israel and Hamas have been operating under a US-brokered ceasefire agreement designed in three phases. Phase One, which involved hostage releases and prisoner exchanges, officially concluded in January 2026 when the last Israeli hostage's remains were recovered. The agreement has now advanced to Phase Two, focusing on Hamas disarmament, establishing new governance structures, and Gaza reconstruction. However, negotiations remain stalled over fundamental disagreements. Israel insists Hamas must disarm before reconstruction can begin, while Hamas argues Israel must first fully implement Phase One commitments, particularly regarding troop withdrawal and humanitarian aid. Since the ceasefire began, Gaza's Government Media Office has documented over four thousand Israeli violations including airstrikes and ground incursions, resulting in at least 1,386 Palestinian deaths. Meanwhile, aid deliveries have fallen far short of targets. The Board of Peace, a 27-nation international body chaired by President Trump, met recently to chart a path forward, but tensions remain high as both sides accuse each other of bad faith.
Key facts
- A ceasefire between Israel and Hamas began October 10, 2025, based on a 20-point Trump administration proposal
- Phase One ended in January 2026 after all Israeli hostages were accounted for
- Phase Two negotiations have stalled over Hamas disarmament and Israeli troop withdrawal
- Gaza's Government Media Office documented 4,379 Israeli ceasefire violations from October 2025 to August 2026
- Only 35 percent of planned humanitarian aid trucks (66,607 of 189,000) have entered Gaza as of August 2026
- A 27-nation Board of Peace was formed to oversee postwar governance and reconstruction
- Hamas agreed in July 2026 to stage-based disarmament contingent on Israeli compliance with Phase One terms
How different outlets framed it
Left-leaning coverage: Progressive outlets and human rights organizations stress that Israel has systematically violated the ceasefire through continuous military operations, restrictions on humanitarian aid, and expansion of military control zones. They highlight that over 73,000 Palestinians have been killed since October 2023, and argue that continued Israeli military pressure makes disarmament negotiations impossible. These sources frame the issue as Palestinian resistance to occupation and call for accountability for Israeli actions.
Right-leaning coverage: Israeli officials and right-leaning analysts prioritize Hamas disarmament and demilitarization as prerequisites for any further progress. They frame the issue as a security imperative, emphasizing that Hamas remains a terrorist threat and cannot be trusted without permanent weapons removal. This perspective notes Palestinian violations and argues Israel has legitimate security concerns requiring sustained military presence in Gaza.
Limits of this briefing
Some right-wing Israeli sources and pro-Netanyahu outlets are underrepresented in major English-language media coverage. Palestinian perspectives are primarily conveyed through governmental sources and international organizations rather than direct Palestinian media outlets. The true casualty figures remain disputed, with different authorities reporting significantly different numbers.
Sources
- Council on Foreign Relations: A Guide to the Gaza Peace Deal Centre
- Al Jazeera: 'Neither war nor peace': What Gaza looks like six months into 'ceasefire' Left
- International Crisis Group: Hollow Promises: Resetting Gaza's Ceasefire Centre
- NPR: Official leading Trump's Gaza ceasefire effort criticizes Israel for its attacks Centre
- J Street: Gaza Ceasefire Negotiations: Prospects and Pitfalls Left