US Says Gaza Peace Plan Faces Significant Obstacles One Year After Ceasefire

The U.S. State Department issued a statement today (Tuesday) addressing ongoing developments in Gaza and the implementation of President Donald Trump's peace plan. According to the statement, "the rehabilitation of the Gaza Strip will be a long and complex process, and the implementation of the President's peace plan will be accompanied by significant difficulties."

The statement was released to mark one year since the Sharm el-Sheikh summit. State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott emphasized that the administration remains "determined to continue working toward the agreement's central goals: the complete demilitarization of the Strip, the complete end of Hamas rule, and ensuring real and lasting security for the State of Israel."

He added, "We are making real progress toward a demilitarized Gaza, where Palestinians can live without Hamas rule."

However, no progress has yet been achieved in the second phase of the American plan, which includes security arrangements and the transfer of governing authority to an alternative Palestinian civilian body.

The ceasefire agreement took effect one year ago, on October 10, 2025, after Israel and Hamas agreed to the first-phase framework presented by President Trump. That phase included the release of the 20 remaining living Israeli hostages, along with the return of the bodies of 28 additional hostages and fallen captives. In exchange, Israel released more than 1,950 Palestinian prisoners, while the amount of humanitarian aid allowed into Gaza increased significantly.

Under the second phase, Hamas was supposed to be disarmed. However, it continues to exercise de facto control over areas where most of Gaza's population lives. The Palestinian technocratic committee, which was intended to administer Gaza and oversee reconstruction efforts, also remains based in Cairo rather than operating within the Strip.