Gaza Ceasefire at One Year: Hostages Returned, Deadlock Persists

A year after a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas took effect, major military operations have halted and the remaining living Israeli hostages have been returned, but strikes, displacement and political deadlock continue in Gaza. The agreement, which began on October 10, 2025, has not led to the planned transition in governance, deployment of an international security force or substantial reconstruction, according to reporting on its first anniversary. The Gaza Health Ministry says more than 1,400 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli strikes since the ceasefire began. The ministry’s records are viewed as generally reliable by UN agencies and independent experts, though they do not distinguish civilians from militants. Israel says its strikes target Hamas members. Reporting also cites the deaths of five Israeli soldiers in sporadic attacks during the same period. The agreement called for a Palestinian administration to take over from Hamas and for an International Stabilization Force to support security as Israeli forces withdrew.