Fragile Peace, Fading Hope

The Trump peace plan — once a symbol of fragile hope — now hangs by a thread, caught between unkept promises, hardened positions, and the ever-present fear of war’s return

- PRABHU DAYAL

As international mediators plead for calm, Gaza's truce frays under the weight of unmet conditions and mounting casualties

he fragile peace in Gaza is seriously imperilled due to the latest developments. On October 19, 2025, Israel’s military conducted airstrikes in Gaza after accusing Hamas militants of firing at Israeli forces operating in the Rafah area. An Israeli military official claimed that Hamas used an antitank missile and sniper fire against Israeli troops. In response, Israel stated it would take “strong action” against ceasefire violations and began a wave of strikes against “terrorist infrastructure” in Rafah.

Hamas denied the accusations made by Israel. It alleged that, in fact, it is Israeli actions that are disrupting the ceasefire. ‘The Gaza Civil Defense Agency stated that Israeli strikes in Rafah and Beit Lahia have killed and injured several Palestinians.

‘These recent events indicate that the Gaza ceasefire, which began in mid-October 2025, is under significant strain and is potentially collapsing. They mark the most serious violations since the truce began. Not surprisingly, both sides have accused each other of violating the US.-brokered ceasefire.

‘The Trump peace plan for Gaza, mediated by the U.S., Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey, has three phases. The First Phase relates to immediate ceasefire and humanitarian actions, the Second Phase to demilitarisation and security, and the Third and final Phase to governance and reconstruction. While the First Phase was implemented and a ceasefire was in place, significant and more challenging issues remained unresolved, and progress on the subsequent phases was uncertain. Thus, the recent violations of the ceasefire seriously damage the prospects for peace in Gaza.