One Year Into Gaza Ceasefire, Implementation Stalled Amid Ongoing Clashes
On October 10, 2025, Israel and Hamas agreed to a ceasefire as part of a Trump-brokered twenty-point plan, marking the third attempt at peace after previous agreements collapsed. A year later, the agreement has made little progress. The ceasefire's first phase involved hostage exchanges and prisoner releases, which were largely completed by January 2026. The second phase requires Hamas disarmament, Israeli military withdrawal, and establishment of international governance structures. However, negotiations have deadlocked over these conditions. Since the ceasefire began, more than 1,400 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces, with 331 deaths confirmed near disputed territory lines. Humanitarian organizations report aid delivery has fallen short of agreed amounts, and hospitals remain non-functional. Israel argues it cannot withdraw until Hamas disarms, while Hamas refuses to surrender weapons before Israeli withdrawal. Political pressures, including upcoming Israeli elections, complicate negotiations.
Key facts
- Ceasefire took effect October 10, 2025, brokered by United States, Qatar, Turkey, and Egypt
- More than 1,400 Palestinians killed in Gaza since ceasefire began, according to humanitarian organizations
- Phase two requires Hamas disarmament and Israeli withdrawal, both remain deadlocked
- Israel controls approximately 65 percent of Gaza as of October 2026 along the Yellow Line
- Only 20 Israeli hostages released as of January 2026; last hostage remains recovered by January
- Humanitarian aid deliveries have fallen significantly short of agreed 600 trucks per day
- No hospitals in Gaza reported fully functional as of October 2026
- UN Human Rights documented 331 Palestinian deaths near Yellow Line since October 2025
How different outlets framed it
Left-leaning coverage: Left-leaning sources and humanitarian organizations stress that the ceasefire exists only on paper, with Israeli forces continuing daily killings and restrictions on aid preventing recovery. They highlight more than 74,000 Palestinian deaths over three years, severe humanitarian suffering, and that international law obligates immediate protection of civilians. Organizations like Amnesty International and Save the Children condemn continued Israeli strikes as violations of the ceasefire agreement.
Right-leaning coverage: Right-leaning perspectives, reflected in Israeli government statements and some security analysts, argue that Hamas poses an ongoing terrorist threat requiring continued Israeli military presence and operations. They emphasize that Hamas must be fully disarmed before Israeli forces leave, citing security incidents since the ceasefire began. Netanyahu's coalition faces political pressure from hardline ministers opposing withdrawal and demanding continued operations against Hamas.
Limits of this briefing
Some right-leaning Israeli security perspectives are less represented in major news coverage compared to humanitarian and centrist sources. Palestinian public opinion on disarmament sequencing reflects deep skepticism about Israeli commitments, which mainstream media could better contextualize.
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
- Times of Israel: October 19: Visiting airbase, Netanyahu tells Israel's enemies: 'Do not test us' Right
- Council on Foreign Relations: A Guide to the Gaza Peace Deal Centre
- Amnesty International: Gaza ceasefire exists in name only, say more than 100 organizations Left