Gaza Ceasefire Reaches One Year Amid Continued Israeli Strikes

One year after a Gaza ceasefire took effect on Oct. 10, 2025, Israeli military operations continue across the territory, while more than 2 million Palestinians remain affected by limited reconstruction and ongoing insecurity, according to NPR. The agreement was intended to end the war after Israel and Hamas reached a deal involving a ceasefire and the release of remaining Israeli hostages.

According to NPR, no international peacekeeping force has been deployed in Gaza and reconstruction has not begun as promised. Israel’s military has expanded its control to roughly 70% of Gaza, pushing many Palestinians toward areas near the Mediterranean coast.

Israeli strikes have continued during the ceasefire period, according to NPR and BBC reporting. Gaza’s Health Ministry said more than 1,400 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks since the ceasefire began, including nearly 500 women and children.

BBC reported that Israel says its strikes are aimed at Hamas operatives and that it accuses Hamas of violating the ceasefire. The BBC also reported that the overall death toll from Israeli attacks since the start of the war has surpassed 74,000, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.

NPR’s reporting from Gaza focused on the daily experiences of residents during the year after the ceasefire. Reporter Anas Baba documented both periods of relief and continued loss through photographs from across the territory.

According to NPR, the reduction in bombing intensity during the ceasefire gave residents more opportunities to recover from severe shortages. Food supplies entering Gaza have increased, helping reverse starvation conditions after U.N.-backed experts declared famine in northern Gaza the previous year.

The original conflict began after the Hamas-led attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, which killed about 1,200 people and resulted in 251 hostages being taken, according to BBC. The ceasefire agreement followed the prolonged war that developed after that attack.

BBC reported that international journalists have faced restrictions on independently entering Gaza, with coverage relying partly on journalists already working inside the territory. The ceasefire’s first year has therefore been documented through limited reporting access alongside local accounts and images.