One Year Into Gaza Ceasefire, Israel Still Controls Two-Thirds of the Enclave

A year after the ceasefire that took effect in October 2025, Israel still controls roughly two-thirds of the Gaza Strip. The central promises of the American-backed plan—full withdrawal, durable peace and large-scale reconstruction—remain unfulfilled, according to Reuters.

Israeli military operations have continued, with more than 1,400 Palestinian deaths reported since the ceasefire began. Large areas of the territory remain destroyed. Palestinians living in tents or damaged buildings face severe hunger and unstable access to sanitation, shelter and medical care.

Israel insists Hamas must disarm before its troops withdraw. Hamas has discussed relinquishing arms under international supervision but disputes the sequence of withdrawal and disarmament. These unresolved negotiations have become a practical obstacle to rebuilding civilian life.

Occupation also structures the economy. Destroyed workplaces cannot reopen without building materials, Palestinian families cannot reconstruct homes at scale, and aid cannot replace an economy with secure access to land, infrastructure and movement. Reconstruction estimates run into tens of billions of dollars.

The question after a year is not only whether a ceasefire reduced some forms of violence, but whether Palestinians have regained material control over their homes, livelihoods and future. On those measures, the crisis continues.

Sources: https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/one-year-trumps-gaza-plan-has-not-stopped-israeli-fire-or-disarmed-hamas-2026-10-06/ ; https://apnews.com/article/3a187f030deb29d97d547cc363875d0c