Gaza Ceasefire Fractures as U.S.-Israel War With Iran Diverts Attention

A fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip is fracturing as international attention shifts toward a wider war between the United States, Israel, and Iran. Despite a 20-point peace plan introduced by Donald Trump to transition governance to a technocratic committee, the process has stalled. While large-scale bombing has ceased, Israel continues drone strikes and has expanded its territorial control to approximately 58% of the territory, exceeding the limits of the peace plan.

Hamas is reportedly utilizing the geopolitical distraction to entrench its local dominance. In response, Nickolay Mladenov of the Board of Peace proposed a disarmament plan for Hamas to the United Nations Security Council, although a rejection by the group is expected. Mladenov argued that the laying down of arms would represent a decisive break from the violence that has defined the region for decades.

Diplomatic support for the transition is eroding; Indonesia suspended its participation in the Board of Peace following the U.S. decision to enter the war with Iran. Meanwhile, humanitarian conditions in Gaza remain dire. Residents continue to live in tents amid severe food insecurity, contaminated water, and rodent infestations, with restrictions on construction materials hindering recovery efforts.