What's happened
Since October 10, a fragile ceasefire has been in effect in Gaza, following US-led negotiations involving Israel, Hamas, and mediators from Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey. The deal includes hostage releases, troop withdrawals, and aid access, but key issues remain unresolved amid ongoing violence and political tensions.
What's behind the headline?
The recent ceasefire negotiations reveal a complex interplay of regional and international interests. The US and Israel aim to secure a short-term halt to hostilities, emphasizing hostage releases and disarmament, but the plan's lack of a pathway to Palestinian statehood and the absence of guarantees for Gaza's future governance highlight deep political divisions. The involvement of figures like Tony Blair and the proposal to place Gaza under international control suggest a shift toward a more managed, if temporary, solution. However, the hardline opposition from Hamas's military wing and Israeli far-right factions indicates that a durable peace remains elusive. The timing, just before the second anniversary of the October 7 attack, underscores the political urgency for all parties, but the underlying issues—disarmament, governance, and regional influence—are unlikely to be resolved quickly. The international community's support for aid and reconstruction signals recognition of Gaza's dire humanitarian needs, but the political will to implement lasting peace remains uncertain. The outcome will depend on whether Hamas accepts the terms, including disarmament, and whether Israel and regional actors can sustain a fragile agreement amid ongoing violence.
What the papers say
The Independent reports that negotiations began on October 7, 2025, with mediators from the US, Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey present, and that the ceasefire and hostage releases are key components. The articles emphasize the political complexity, with US President Trump demanding a deal by October 7, and highlight the internal Israeli political pressures and opposition from Hamas's military wing. The Guardian notes that the deal does not include a pathway to Palestinian statehood and that Hamas's leadership remains divided on the proposal. Both sources underscore the fragile nature of the ceasefire and the ongoing violence, with the UN and aid agencies preparing for increased humanitarian needs. The Guardian also points out that Netanyahu's government faces internal political challenges, with far-right factions opposed to concessions, and that regional actors like Qatar and Egypt are mediating but cautious about the long-term prospects. Overall, the coverage illustrates a tense, uncertain process driven by international diplomacy, regional interests, and internal political dynamics, with the potential for a short-term pause but no clear resolution to the broader conflict.
How we got here
The conflict escalated after Hamas's attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, leading to a two-year war that caused extensive destruction and loss of life in Gaza. Multiple international efforts have sought to broker peace, with recent US-led negotiations aiming to establish a ceasefire, hostage releases, and humanitarian aid access. The US proposal, supported by Israel and mediated by Qatar and Egypt, involves disarmament and a transitional governance plan, but faces opposition from hardline Israeli factions and Hamas's military wing.
Go deeper
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More on these topics
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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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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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Benjamin Netanyahu is an Israeli politician serving as Prime Minister of Israel since 2009, and previously from 1996 to 1999. Netanyahu is also the Chairman of the Likud – National Liberal Movement.
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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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Anthony Charles Lynton Blair is a British politician who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1997 to 2007 and Leader of the Labour Party from 1994 to 2007.
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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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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.