Gaza Truce Efforts Falter
Israeli Fire Kills Six Palestinians in Gaza as Efforts Continue to Salvage US-Brokered Truce
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Israeli strikes and gunfire killed at least six Palestinians in Gaza on Sunday, even as mediators from Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey pushed hard to keep a fragile ceasefire alive, according to Reuters. The Israeli military did not comment on the incidents.
The violence comes at a critical moment. Negotiators are trying to move the conflict into Phase Two of the U.S.-brokered truce. That phase requires Hamas to fully disarm and hand over governance — a demand Hamas has so far refused to meet.
Phase Two Stalls as Hamas Refuses to Disarm
The October 2025 ceasefire ended the worst of the fighting. Phase One freed the remaining 20 living Israeli hostages and paused major Israeli operations. But Phase Two has hit a wall. Hamas official Hussam Badran says the group will remove "visible weapons" from streets, but refuses a formal handover of arms until statehood is guaranteed, according to Reuters.
Israel's position is firm. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insists Hamas must disarm completely, give up power in Gaza, and play no role in the territory's future. The two sides remain far apart, and Sunday's deaths show how quickly the truce can break down.
Mediators Meet in Cairo as Truce Teeters
Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey convened talks in Cairo over the weekend to stop the deal from collapsing entirely, according to Yahoo News. Egyptian sources say the latest round ended without agreement. Hamas wants a slow, phased disarmament — similar to how the IRA gave up weapons in Northern Ireland. Israel wants an immediate and unconditional surrender of arms.
UN High Representative Nickolay Mladenov warned in May 2026 that the situation was a "ticking time bomb." With aid flowing at under 60% of the required 4,200 trucks per week, the pressure on Gaza's 2 million residents is immense.
Israel Expands Military Footprint Inside Gaza
While talks drag on, Israel has built 40 fortified military outposts inside Gaza since the truce began. Eight were built after the October 2025 agreement took effect. Israel now controls roughly 64% of the Gaza Strip, up from 53% when the truce started. This has pushed 2 million Palestinians into a narrow coastal strip, according to Reuters.
Turkey and Qatar have called the expansion a violation of the spirit of the peace deal. They warn it could cause the planned International Stabilization Force — troops from Indonesia, Morocco, and Albania — to never deploy, leaving the IDF as the only security force in Gaza.
Death Toll Climbs Despite the Ceasefire
Gaza's Health Ministry reports that over 950 Palestinians have been killed since the October truce took effect — a stark sign that the ceasefire has never fully held. The total death toll since October 7, 2023 now stands at 73,001 killed and more than 173,200 wounded, according to Reuters.
Reconstruction funds are also falling short. The Board of Peace has secured $17 billion in pledges, but experts estimate $70 billion is needed to rebuild Gaza. Major Western nations have held back funds, citing concerns over the makeup of the Board's membership.
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