Gaza ceasefire stalls on disarmament as negotiations drag into phase two
A ceasefire between Israel and Hamas began in October 2025 under a Trump-backed peace plan. The agreement had two phases: the first, completed in January 2026, included hostage exchanges and initial Israeli withdrawal. The second phase, still ongoing, aims to achieve Hamas disarmament, full Israeli withdrawal, and reconstruction. However, significant obstacles remain. Both sides have accused each other of violations. As of July 2026, Hamas and the international Board of Peace reached a disarmament framework, but implementation faces challenges. Israeli forces continue controlling about 64 percent of Gaza, and mediators report little progress on key issues including aid delivery and governance structures. The humanitarian situation remains dire, with over two million Palestinians facing uncertainty and limited access to essential resources.
Key facts
- Ceasefire began October 10, 2025, under Trump's 20-point peace plan
- Phase one completed January 2026 after Hamas returned remains of last Israeli hostage
- Phase two aims to achieve Hamas disarmament and Israeli troop withdrawal
- As of July 2026, Hamas agreed to disarmament framework after months of negotiations
- Palestinian figures report 73,000 deaths since October 2023; Gaza Government Media Office documented 2,073 Israeli violations October 2025-March 2026
- Israeli forces control approximately 64 percent of Gaza territory; ceasefire envisioned 53 percent
- From October 2025 to January 2026, only 23,019 aid trucks entered Gaza out of 54,000 planned
How different outlets framed it
Left-leaning coverage: Left-leaning outlets highlight Israeli violations, ongoing airstrikes killing Palestinians, and restrictions on humanitarian aid. They emphasize that the ceasefire has failed to deliver meaningful relief and point to Israel's continued military control exceeding agreed-upon percentages. Coverage stresses Palestinian suffering and insufficient international enforcement of ceasefire terms.
Right-leaning coverage: Right-leaning perspective emphasizes Trump administration's diplomatic achievement in brokering the initial deal and the Board of Peace framework. Sources highlight Hamas's agreement to disarm as a significant concession and frame Israeli security concerns as legitimate, focusing on the terrorist threat posed by militant groups in Gaza.
Limits of this briefing
Coverage reflects major English-language outlets; perspectives from Israeli right-wing and Palestinian resistance groups are underrepresented. Most recent data is from late July-August 2026, and negotiations are ongoing with potential for rapid developments.
Sources
- Al Jazeera: Hamas reaches Gaza disarmament agreement with Board of Peace 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
- CBS News: Trump says Hamas agreed to next phase of Gaza peace deal, including disarmament Centre
- ABC News: Board of Peace envoy meets with Netanyahu on Gaza disarmament deal Centre