GAZA CITY: The ceasefire in Gaza, which began on October 10, 2025, is proving fragile, with residents reporting little change to their daily lives amid ongoing Israeli attacks and severe humanitarian restrictions. On Wednesday, at least one person was killed in Tuffah, northern Gaza, as Israeli forces continued their operations despite the truce.
Humanitarian access remains severely restricted. Israel has continued to limit deliveries of food, fuel, and medical supplies, even as the United Nations and other aid organisations resume partial operations. Only 300 aid trucks have been allowed to enter Gaza so far, half of the amount initially agreed under the ceasefire. The Rafah border crossing with Egypt remains closed, further restricting movement and the flow of essential supplies.
Palestinians describe life under the ceasefire as unchanged, with many facing acute stress and trauma from the ongoing conflict. Hospitals are overwhelmed, and essential services continue to struggle under blockade conditions.
In parallel, U.S. Vice President JD Vance, visiting Israel for discussions with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, called for optimism about the ceasefire, stating it is “going better than expected.” However, Gazans on the ground report the opposite, highlighting the gap between diplomatic statements and humanitarian realities.
The ceasefire has also involved prisoner exchanges. Hamas returned the remains of two Israeli captives and released 20 living prisoners, while Israel freed around 2,000 Palestinian detainees and promised to return the remains of 360 more deceased Palestinians. Despite these developments, the humanitarian situation in Gaza remains critical, with residents warning that the blockade is worsening daily.