In Gaza City's makeshift tent camps, winter air already bites the bones of children waiting for life-saving aid. One month into a fragile ceasefire brokered by the Trump administration, the humanitarian pipeline remains far from its pledged capacity.
Under the deal, 600 aid trucks were to roll across checkpoints daily. Yet Gaza authorities report only 145 trucks—just 24% of the target—have delivered vital food, fuel, and medical supplies. The World Food Program confirms 20,000 tonnes of food delivered so far, half the estimated need, with just 44 distribution points operational out of 145 planned.
Amid these shortages, the complex dance of hostage and prisoner exchanges offers a glimmer of progress. Hamas has released 20 living hostages; Israel has freed nearly 2,000 Palestinian detainees. In parallel, 24 bodies of deceased hostages have been returned to Israel, four remain in Gaza, and 300 Palestinian remains have gone back, though identification processes continue.
On the ground, Israel has begun planting yellow-painted markers to enforce the so-called "yellow line," signaling control over roughly half of Gaza's territory. Originally a temporary boundary to protect urban centers, it now triggers debates over freedom of movement and the return of displaced residents.
These unfolding realities test the resilience of the 20-point peace framework, which envisions phased Israeli withdrawals and a handover to an International Stabilization Force once demilitarization benchmarks are met. Without firm deadlines, analysts warn, months or even years may pass before lasting stability takes hold.
As winter looms over Gaza's 2.1 million residents—many of whom remain homeless—the effectiveness of the truce hinges on urgent aid scale-up, clear roadmaps for implementation, and sustained diplomatic pressure. The world watches: Can this pause in fighting become the foundation for durable peace?
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Trump's peace plan under strain as Gaza truce enters 2nd month
cgtn.com
