Gaza After the Ceasefire: A Fragile Calm or the Start of Lasting Peace?

The airstrikes have stopped. The rockets have gone quiet. After weeks of bloodshed, a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas has taken hold in the Gaza Strip. But beneath the silence, a more profound question is taking shape: Is peace finally within reach—or is this simply another lull before the next round of violence?

With thousands dead and much of Gaza’s infrastructure in ruins, the situation remains precarious. Yet amid the rubble, there are faint signals of hope—from diplomatic overtures to grassroots peace initiatives. The region stands at a pivotal moment.

What Led to the Latest Ceasefire?

The 2025 Gaza conflict was one of the deadliest in recent memory. Sparked by a series of escalations around Al-Aqsa Mosque and retaliatory rocket fire, the violence quickly spiraled into a full-scale confrontation. Over 2,000 people, including hundreds of civilians, were killed before international mediators brokered a truce.

According to Al Jazeera’s timeline, the conflict escalated rapidly after Israeli police raids in East Jerusalem and the assassination of a Hamas commander in Rafah. In response, Hamas launched a barrage of over 5,000 rockets toward Israeli cities, prompting Israel to carry out relentless airstrikes across Gaza.

The truce—brokered by Egypt, Qatar, and the United Nations—took effect on May 27. It calls for:

• An immediate cessation of hostilities

• The opening of humanitarian corridors

• The gradual lifting of the blockade on Gaza, contingent on de-escalation

A Humanitarian Crisis Still Unfolding

While the bombs may have stopped, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza remains dire. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) estimates that over 80% of Gaza’s population is now dependent on aid. Power and water supplies remain intermittent, and thousands of homes, schools, and hospitals have been destroyed.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres described the devastation as “unconscionable” and urged the international community to provide emergency funding for reconstruction. The World Health Organization has also warned of disease outbreaks in overcrowded shelters.

Meanwhile, local NGOs like Medical Aid for Palestinians are working around the clock to deliver supplies and care, but access remains limited due to destroyed infrastructure and ongoing border restrictions.

Can This Ceasefire Be Different?

Skepticism remains high. Ceasefires between Israel and Hamas have historically been short-lived. The 2021 and 2014 truces, for instance, both gave way to renewed hostilities within months.

Yet, there are some reasons for cautious optimism:

1. Diplomatic Realignment

The Biden administration has taken a more proactive role, pushing for a longer-term framework. Secretary of State Antony Blinken recently met with both Israeli and Palestinian leaders to discuss a “post-conflict roadmap,” which includes humanitarian aid, reconstruction funds, and discussions around a two-state solution.

According to a Brookings Institution analysis, the U.S. is now exploring indirect talks with Hamas via Qatar, a move previously avoided.

2. Arab World Reengagement

Several Arab nations, including Jordan, Egypt, and even Saudi Arabia, are showing renewed interest in Gaza’s future. Cairo has pledged $500 million for reconstruction, and Saudi Arabia is reportedly considering reactivating the Arab Peace Initiative as a platform for broader negotiations.

3. Internal Palestinian Pressure

Hamas, facing severe criticism from Gaza’s residents over the devastation, may now be more willing to compromise. At the same time, Fatah, which controls the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank, is signaling a willingness to restart reconciliation talks.

This push for Palestinian unity—long seen as a prerequisite for meaningful negotiations with Israel—could reshape the political landscape.

Israel’s Position: Security First

From Israel’s perspective, any lasting peace depends on security guarantees. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has made it clear that Hamas must disarm and cease all rocket production before any long-term arrangements can be made.

Israel is also insisting on tight verification measures to ensure that reconstruction funds are not diverted to rebuild Hamas’s military capabilities. As outlined in The Times of Israel, discussions are underway on an international monitoring mechanism, potentially involving the EU or the UN.

What Are the Obstacles?

Despite diplomatic momentum, the path to peace is riddled with challenges:

• Deep mistrust: After years of conflict, both sides doubt each other’s intentions.

• Political divisions: The Israeli government is deeply fractured, and upcoming elections could shift policy dramatically.

• International inconsistencies: While the EU and U.S. push for a two-state solution, other powers like Russia and China are advancing their own agendas in the region.

• Extremist spoilers: Radical factions in both camps may use violence to derail negotiations.

Voices from the Ground

Amid global maneuvering, ordinary Gazans are desperate for normalcy.

“We want food, not factions. Jobs, not jihad,” says Khaled, a 28-year-old shopkeeper in Gaza City, in an interview with Reuters. “We’re exhausted.”

This sentiment is echoed across the strip, where countless families are focused on survival rather than politics. Local peace groups, like Gisha, are advocating for people’s right to freedom of movement, work, and dignity—cornerstones of any future peace.

The Way Forward: Peace or Pause?

The latest ceasefire offers a crucial test. For decades, the Gaza-Israel cycle has followed a tragic pattern: conflict, ceasefire, fragile calm, repeat. But for the first time in years, the possibility of breaking that cycle feels tangible.

To succeed, the ceasefire must evolve into something deeper—a sustained effort toward political resolution, economic recovery, and mutual recognition.

This will require:

• Sustained international diplomacy

• Reconstruction that empowers civilians, not militants

• A long-overdue conversation on Palestinian statehood

Without these, the silence in Gaza will remain temporary. But with them, a different future might just be possible.