Gaza ceasefire stalls one year on as fighting continues amid disarmament disputes
One year ago this month, President Trump brokered a ceasefire in Gaza aimed at ending the war that began in October 2023. The agreement entered its first phase in October 2025 with a hostage exchange and military pause. It shifted to a second phase in January 2026 focused on Hamas disarmament, Israeli withdrawal, and Gaza reconstruction through a new governing body called the Board of Peace. However, progress has stalled dramatically. Israel continues launching military strikes, with over fourteen hundred Palestinians killed during the supposed ceasefire according to humanitarian organizations. A July 2026 disarmament agreement between Hamas and the Board of Peace has not been implemented, as Hamas says it won't act until Israel withdraws and Israel says it won't withdraw until Hamas fully disarms. The International Stabilization Force meant to replace Israeli troops hasn't been fully deployed. The result is described by observers as neither war nor peace.
Key facts
- Ceasefire announced October 9, 2025, took effect October 10, 2025 after a Trump-brokered agreement
- Over 1,400 Palestinians killed during the ceasefire period according to humanitarian groups, including at least 327 children
- Israel controls over 63 percent of Gaza territory after expanding the Yellow Line demarcation over the past year
- First phase of Trump's 20-point plan completed January 2026 when Hamas returned remains of final Israeli hostage
- Second phase began January 2026 focused on disarmament, Israeli withdrawal, and establishing stabilization force and new governance
- July 2026 disarmament agreement reached but not implemented, with mutual accusations of non-compliance
- International Stabilization Force deployment incomplete as of October 2026
How different outlets framed it
Left-leaning coverage: Left-leaning outlets stress that the ceasefire exists only on paper. Over 1,400 Palestinians have been killed during the supposed ceasefire, with humanitarian groups calling it meaningless if children continue dying. They emphasize Israeli control expansion, settlement activity in the West Bank threatening Palestinian statehood, and that Palestinians face a humanitarian catastrophe while the peace process stalls.
Right-leaning coverage: Right-leaning analysis emphasizes that Hamas's refusal to disarm and fulfill agreement terms justifies continued Israeli military presence. An Israeli ex-general called the ceasefire a strategic achievement that has curbed Hamas's military power. The focus is on Hamas's obligations being the prerequisite for Israeli withdrawal, with security concerns driving the need for verification before troop pullback.
Limits of this briefing
Coverage is weighted toward Arab outlets and humanitarian organizations; fewer right-leaning Israeli security perspectives directly available. The search results reflect reporting as of mid-October 2026, and negotiations may have evolved since then.
Sources
- Washington Post: A US-brokered ceasefire was supposed to end the war in Gaza. A year later, progress has stalled Centre
- Al Jazeera: Gaza ceasefire 'exists in name only', more than 100 NGOs say Left
- Council on Foreign Relations: A Guide to the Gaza Peace Deal Centre
- International Crisis Group: Hollow Promises: Resetting Gaza's Ceasefire Centre
- Asharq Al-Awsat: A Year into Ceasefire, Israel Wages a Scaled-Down War in Gaza Left