‘Neither war nor peace’: What Gaza looks like six months into ‘ceasefire’

Six months after a major ceasefire agreement was signed in October 2025 between Israel and Hamas, the Gaza Strip remains mired in a state of profound instability, described by local officials and international observers as 'neither war nor peace.' The agreement, brokered by regional and international mediators, was intended to halt the intense hostilities that had devastated the territory, but it has failed to deliver on its core promises of sustained calm and humanitarian relief. Instead, a precarious and volatile situation persists, characterized by sporadic but deadly attacks, a crippling aid blockade, and escalating regional tensions that threaten to unravel the fragile truce entirely. The reality on the ground starkly contrasts with the hopes pinned on the October accord. While large-scale military operations have ceased, low-level violence continues unabated. Rocket fire from militant factions in Gaza into southern Israel occurs intermittently, often met with targeted Israeli airstrikes in retaliation. This cycle of violence, though reduced in scale, prevents any sense of normalcy from returning and keeps civilians in a constant state of fear and uncertainty. The humanitarian situation, a key component of the ceasefire deal, has seen little improvement. Despite pledges to facilitate the entry of aid, stringent Israeli security restrictions and logistical bottlenecks have resulted in what UN agencies describe as 'grossly insufficient' supplies of food, medicine, and reconstruction materials entering the enclave. This stagnation is further exacerbated by deepening regional conflicts that spill over into Gaza. Clashes along Israel's northern border with Hezbollah in Lebanon and tensions involving Iranian-backed groups in Syria and Iraq have created a broader atmosphere of instability. These conflicts divert international diplomatic attention and resources, making the enforcement and strengthening of the Gaza ceasefire a lower priority. Analysts warn that the current 'no war, no peace' limbo is unsustainable. Without a significant breakthrough in political negotiations to address the root causes of the conflict—including the status of Hamas, the reconstruction of Gaza, and a longer-term political horizon—the territory remains a tinderbox, with the potential for a rapid and catastrophic return to full-scale war.