Gaza ceasefire process stalls a year after initial agreement as violations mount
A year has passed since Israel and Hamas agreed to a ceasefire in October 2025, brokered by the United States under President Trump's 20-point Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict. The initial phase saw hostage releases and prisoner exchanges, but implementation has been fragile and marked by violations from both sides. Phase two, which was supposed to focus on Hamas disarmament, Israeli withdrawal, and establishment of an international stabilization force, remains stalled. According to multiple sources, at least 765 to 733 people have been killed in Gaza since the ceasefire began. Both sides accuse each other of breaching the agreement. Hamas claims Israel continues military operations and restricts humanitarian aid, while Israel accuses Hamas of refusing disarmament and delaying negotiations. The process faces major hurdles including whether to sequence disarmament before Israeli withdrawal, deployment of international forces, and the governance structure for Gaza. A transitional Palestinian administration has not been permitted to enter Gaza. The situation remains described as tenuous and fragile by international observers.
Key facts
- Ceasefire took effect on October 10, 2025, under a Trump-brokered 20-point plan endorsed by UN resolution 2803 in November 2025
- Phase one (October 2025-January 2026) involved hostage-prisoner exchanges; all living hostages released except remains of one deceased hostage
- At least 765 people killed in Gaza since ceasefire according to Palestinian Ministry of Health; MSF reported 733 killed by April 2026
- Israel controls approximately 54-58 percent of Gaza territory beyond the agreed demarcation line per BBC and MSF analysis
- Phase two requiring Hamas disarmament, Israeli withdrawal, international stabilization force, and Palestinian technocratic governance remains unimplemented
- Both Israel and Hamas have accused each other of multiple violations; talks repeatedly stall over sequencing of disarmament versus withdrawal
How different outlets framed it
Left-leaning coverage: Left-leaning outlets highlight Israeli ceasefire violations, civilian casualties, and continued military operations in Gaza. They emphasize that humanitarian conditions remain catastrophic with Palestinians displaced and compressed into shrinking spaces. Sources like Al Jazeera and Doctors Without Borders underscore that the ceasefire has not meaningfully improved conditions on the ground and point to Gaza being under continued Israeli military control.
Right-leaning coverage: Right-leaning perspectives, evident in how some sources frame Hamas's role, emphasize Hamas's refusal to disarm and allegations that the group is not negotiating in good faith. The Security Council Report notes that Hamas disarmament is the principal obstacle to fully implementing the plan. Sources cite U.S. special envoy statements questioning whether Hamas ever wanted a deal and focus on the hostage releases as a achievement of the agreement.
Limits of this briefing
Most recent comprehensive reporting is from mid-2026 with limited current developments in September-October 2026. Some outlets frame violations differently based on political perspective, and casualty figures vary slightly by source and counting methodology.
Sources
- Security Council Report: The Middle East, including the Palestinian Question, October 2026 Monthly Forecast Centre
- CNN: US and Hamas hold first direct talks since Gaza truce as ceasefire process stalls Centre
- Al Jazeera: US declares phase two of Gaza ceasefire, but what did phase one deliver Left
- Council on Foreign Relations: A Guide to the Gaza Peace Deal Centre
- Doctors Without Borders (MSF): This is not a ceasefire: Life in Gaza continues to be suffocated six months on Left