Fragile Gaza ceasefire strained as diplomacy seeks to avert collapse

A fragile ceasefire in Gaza brokered earlier this month has been shaken by renewed fighting and diplomatic urgency, as U.S. and allied officials move to prevent the truce from collapsing and humanitarian access remains uneven across the enclave and the occupied West Bank.

The phased ceasefire, which took effect on Oct. 10 as part of a 20‑point plan led by the United States, temporarily halted large-scale Israeli operations and opened limited aid corridors. Within days, however, sporadic attacks and Israeli airstrikes have killed scores of Palestinians and at least two Israeli soldiers in separate incidents, prompting both sides to accuse the other of violations and raising fears the arrangement could unravel.

U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner visited Israel to press both parties to adhere to the agreement, and Vice President JD Vance also travelled to the region as part of high-level U.S. diplomacy to shore up the deal. At the United Nations, U.S. envoy Mike Waltz described the plan as creating a “unique opportunity” to transform Gaza’s future and to advance regional stability. Britain has deployed a small team of planning officers and a senior commander to be embedded...