Article: Gaza Ceasefire - A Fragile Interlude After 13 Months
A ceasefire between Israel and Hamas has been in place since October 2025. How stable is it, and what does it mean going forward?
Key takeaways
- The ceasefire took effect on October 10, 2025 and has held so far.
- Aid groups report better access, but infrastructure damage remains severe.
- Political talks over a lasting settlement are still blocked.
The first phase of the ceasefire
After 13 months of intense fighting, Israel and Hamas agreed to a ceasefire in October 2025. The US-brokered 20-point plan begins with a halt to hostilities and the opening of humanitarian corridors.
UN reports suggest the ceasefire is broadly holding, although there have been isolated violations. Israeli forces have struck targets in southern Lebanon several times, while Hamas rocket fire into Israel has largely stopped in recent weeks.
The humanitarian situation in Gaza
Conditions remain critical. Save the Children says a Palestinian child was killed every hour during the war. Since the ceasefire, aid groups have been focusing on restoring water, food, and medical care to devastated neighborhoods.
Israel has said it will deliver winter supplies, but UN agencies still report delays at border crossings. Damage to hospitals and schools means reconstruction will remain a long-term challenge.
- More than 1.8 million people are displaced in Gaza.
- The UN is planning vaccination campaigns for tens of thousands of children against polio and measles.
- Water systems are working at only 40 percent of their original capacity.
The hostage issue and political deadlock
The transfer of hostages remains a central dispute. Hamas recently returned the body of German-Israeli soldier Itay Chen. Israeli officials say seven dead hostages are still in Gaza, while the number of living hostages remains unclear.
Politically, there is little progress. The United States is still pushing for a two-state solution, but the current Israeli government rejects direct talks with Hamas. On the Palestinian side, the demand is for an end to the blockade and for reconstruction under international supervision.
How stable is the ceasefire?
Experts warn that the ceasefire remains fragile. Small incidents could quickly escalate. It is also unclear how long the United States will stay engaged as mediator, especially after the change of administration in Washington.
For civilians, the ceasefire is a much-needed pause. But without a political settlement, the violence could return at any moment.