Gaza ceasefire stalls amid disputes over Hamas disarmament and Israeli withdrawal
A US-backed ceasefire in Gaza that began in October 2025 has moved into a second phase focused on reconstruction, governance, and disarmament, but negotiations remain severely deadlocked. The agreement included Hamas releasing Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, and provisions for Israeli troop withdrawals and aid delivery. However, over thirteen months in, substantial implementation gaps persist. Israeli forces have expanded their territorial control from 53 percent to approximately 65 percent of Gaza. Humanitarian aid has reached only 33 percent of agreed levels, while more than 1,400 Palestinians and five Israeli military personnel have been killed despite the ceasefire. Core disputes center on Hamas disarmament, the deployment of an International Stabilization Force, and the precise timeline for full Israeli withdrawal. Talks have continued intermittently through mediation by Egypt, Qatar, Turkey, and US envoys, but little progress has occurred in recent months.
Key facts
- Ceasefire took effect October 10, 2025, under US-backed Trump 20-point plan
- Phase one resulted in release of 20 Israeli hostages and approximately 2,000 Palestinian prisoners
- At least 1,400 Palestinians and 5 Israeli military personnel killed since ceasefire began
- Israeli-controlled territory expanded from 53 percent to approximately 65 percent of Gaza
- Only 77,657 trucks entered Gaza of 232,800 expected, a 33.3 percent compliance rate
- Negotiations deadlocked over Hamas disarmament, Israeli withdrawal, and International Stabilization Force deployment
- Over 5,989 ceasefire violations documented by Gaza Government Media Office as of November 2, 2026
How different outlets framed it
Left-leaning coverage: Left-leaning outlets stress that the ceasefire has failed Palestinians, pointing to extensive Israeli ceasefire violations, inadequate aid delivery, continued civilian deaths, and expanded Israeli territorial control. They argue Israel uses disarmament demands as cover for maintaining military presence and preventing reconstruction, and emphasize Palestinian commitments versus Israeli non-compliance.
Right-leaning coverage: Right-leaning outlets emphasize that Hamas refuses genuine disarmament despite ceasefire terms, and that Israel must maintain security control until verifiable compliance occurs. They present Israeli territorial expansion as necessary security measures responding to Palestinian non-compliance.
Limits of this briefing
Most recent reporting focuses on Israeli and Palestinian positions; direct statements from Hamas and Israeli officials are limited in available sources. Western diplomatic perspectives dominate coverage, while grassroots Palestinian and Israeli civilian perspectives are underrepresented. The situation evolves rapidly and positions have shifted multiple times throughout 2026.
Sources
- Al Jazeera: 'Neither war nor peace': What Gaza looks like six months into 'ceasefire' Left
- Council on Foreign Relations: A Guide to the Gaza Peace Deal Centre
- J Street: Nine Months In: Assessing the Status of the Gaza Ceasefire Left
- The Long War Journal (FDD): Gaza peace plan sees slow progress after Hamas meets in Cairo Right
- CNN: US and Hamas hold first direct talks since Gaza truce as ceasefire process stalls Centre