What's happened
As of December 4, 2025, Gaza remains devastated after two years of war with Israel, with over 70,000 Palestinians killed and much of the territory reduced to rubble. A fragile ceasefire has allowed rare moments of hope, such as a mass wedding of 54 couples. International efforts focus on stabilizing Gaza, but challenges persist over foreign control, Hamas's resilience, and the humanitarian crisis.
What's behind the headline?
Gaza's Devastation and Humanitarian Crisis
The two-year conflict has left Gaza in ruins, with over 61 million tons of rubble and an estimated 10,000 bodies trapped beneath. The destruction of infrastructure, including hospitals and schools, has compounded the suffering. Despite a ceasefire, aid deliveries remain insufficient, with Israel restricting the flow of essential supplies, including nutritious food and medicine.
Hamas's Endurance and Control
Contrary to Israeli claims of degrading Hamas, the group remains a dominant force in Gaza, reportedly rearming and suppressing opposition. The killing of a militant leader opposed to Hamas underscores its regained control. This resilience complicates plans for disarmament and governance.
International Stabilization Efforts and Challenges
The US and allies have established a Civil-Military Coordination Center near Gaza to oversee aid and security, but their presence alongside Israeli forces raises concerns about impartiality and effective peacebuilding. The proposed International Stabilization Force lacks clarity on mandate and timing, and Palestinians have little say in Gaza's future governance.
Symbolic Moments Amidst Hardship
Events like the mass wedding of 54 couples in Khan Younis offer rare glimpses of hope and resilience, symbolizing the continuation of Palestinian traditions despite immense loss and displacement.
Forecast
The path to peace and reconstruction is fraught with obstacles: disarming Hamas, rebuilding infrastructure, and establishing governance acceptable to Palestinians. Without addressing these core issues and ensuring humanitarian access, Gaza's stability will remain elusive, and cycles of violence may persist.
What the papers say
Adam Parsons of Sky News paints a vivid picture of Gaza's devastation and the precarious security situation, noting that "Hamas are rearming, Hamas are killing their opponents on the street," highlighting the group's resilience despite Israeli military efforts. The Times of Israel focuses on cultural resilience, reporting on the mass wedding of 54 couples as a "rare moment of hope" amid ongoing hardship, with couples like Hikmat and Eman Lawwa expressing cautious optimism.
Al Jazeera offers a critical perspective on international involvement, with Yara Hawari describing the US-led Civil-Military Coordination Center as a "foreign-run command hub" that "turns the promise of peace into yet another instrument of control," emphasizing the continued suffering due to restricted aid and repeated ceasefire violations by Israel. AP News outlines the political framework, noting the plan's emphasis on disarming Hamas and demilitarizing Gaza but highlighting the lack of Palestinian input and the absence of a promise for statehood.
Together, these sources provide a multifaceted view: the human cost and resilience, the geopolitical complexities, and the challenges facing international stabilization efforts in Gaza.
How we got here
The conflict escalated after Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack on southern Israel, killing over 1,200 civilians and triggering a two-year war. Gaza suffered massive destruction, with over 80% of buildings damaged or destroyed and tens of thousands of Palestinians killed. A US-brokered ceasefire in October 2025 has slowed fighting but not ended humanitarian hardships or political tensions.
Go deeper
- What are the main obstacles to peace in Gaza?
- How is Hamas maintaining control despite military pressure?
- What role are international actors playing in Gaza's stabilization?
Common question
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What is the current situation in Gaza after two years of conflict?
Gaza remains a scene of devastation two years after the escalation of the Israel-Hamas conflict. Thousands of civilians are still affected by ongoing destruction, limited access to basic needs, and the emotional toll of loss. Many are asking: what is the current state of Gaza, and what efforts are underway to bring stability and aid to the region? Below, we explore the latest developments, humanitarian efforts, and prospects for peace.
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Stay updated with the top headlines shaping the world right now. From groundbreaking discoveries to major political developments, this page covers the most important stories today. Curious about how these events connect or what they mean for the future? Keep reading for quick summaries and insights into today's key news stories.
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What’s happening in Gaza after the ceasefire?
Since the ceasefire in Gaza was announced, many are wondering what the current situation really looks like. Is peace holding? What are the long-term prospects for stability? And how are international forces involved now? Below, we answer the most common questions about Gaza’s ongoing crisis and what the future might hold.
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What is the current situation in Gaza after two years of war?
Gaza remains devastated after over two years of ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. The region has seen massive destruction, with thousands of lives lost and much of the infrastructure reduced to rubble. Despite the relentless violence, stories of resilience and hope continue to emerge, highlighting the complex human stories behind the headlines. Many are asking: what is the current state of Gaza, and what does the future hold for its people?
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What’s the latest on Gaza’s recovery after the war?
Gaza remains deeply affected by two years of conflict, with widespread destruction and ongoing humanitarian challenges. Despite a fragile ceasefire, recovery efforts face numerous obstacles, raising questions about the future stability and rebuilding of the region. Below, we explore the current situation, signs of hope, and what international aid is doing to help Gaza recover.
More on these topics
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Israel, formally known as the State of Israel, is a country in Western Asia, located on the southeastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea and the northern shore of the Red Sea.
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The Gaza Strip, or simply Gaza, is a self-governing Palestinian territory on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea, that borders Egypt on the southwest for 11 kilometers and Israel on the east and north along a 51 km border.
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Hamas is a Palestinian Sunni-Islamic fundamentalist militant organization. It has a social service wing, Dawah, and a military wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades.
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Gaza most commonly refers to:
Gaza Strip, a Palestinian territory on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea
Gaza City, a city in the Gaza Strip
Gaza may also refer to:
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Donald John Trump is an American politician, media personality, and businessman who served as the 45th president of the United States from 2017 to 2021.
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The United Nations is an intergovernmental organization that aims to maintain international peace and security, develop friendly relations among nations, achieve international cooperation, and be a centre for harmonizing the actions of nations.