Ceasefire in Gaza: A Never-Ending Cycle

The recent ceasefire deal in Gaza, while offering temporary relief from the cycle of violence, is ultimately duct tape on a totaled car. It might slow the immediate fighting, but it doesn’t address the underlying issues that continue to fuel this decades-long conflict. While it’s always tempting to hope that these deals might signal a shift toward a lasting peace, it’s most likely not any meaningful change.

This is especially true when we consider the broader political dynamics, both within Israel and Palestine, and in the rest of the Middle East. With the new administration of President Donald Trump in place, there’s an added layer of complexity to the situation. Trump’s foreign policy approach, specifically towards Israel and Palestine, has been characterized by a strong pro-Israel stance.



In 2017 , his administration recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, a highly controversial move that angered Palestinians and much of the Arab world. Given that Trump’s administration previously condemned the Hamas group , it’s unlikely that any ceasefire agreement under his leadership would do much to address the core political issues, especially since the Trump administration is openly focused on strengthening ties with Israel. So under a Trump presidency, a ceasefire might be viewed less as a genuine opportunity for dialogue and more as a temporary pause to allow for rearming and preparing for the next round of hostilities.

Trump’s firm backing of Israel might embolden Israeli hardliners who want to press forward with settlement expansion or military action in Gaza, which would only make long-term peace seem more distant. Moreover, Trump’s request that countries like Jordan and Egypt take in Palestinians as refugees insinuates that he doesn’t intend to ensure the security of the land. Beyond the immediate Israeli-Palestinian context, the entire regional landscape also plays a big role in the stability of any ceasefire.

Countries like Egypt, Qatar and Iran, which have influence over different factions within Gaza, can impact whether a ceasefire holds or breaks down. For example, Egypt has traditionally acted as a mediator , while Qatar has provided significant humanitarian aid to Gaza and has ties with Hamas. Iran has supported Hamas militarily, contributing to the ongoing military buildup in the region and direct conflicts we have seen within the past year.

Any significant turmoil in surrounding countries could easily spill over into Gaza and jeopardize the ceasefire. If these neighboring countries are engaged in their own internal or external conflicts, they may either lose the political capital to enforce peace or actively fuel further violence by supporting one side over the other. On the surface, the ceasefire should be effective in the short term.

It’s intended to save lives and prevent the kind of destruction that Gaza has faced in previous wars, but only if both parties follow through. Now, only a few days in, there are still reports of Israel breaking the agreement. Each time the fighting stops, the underlying grievances remain: the blockade on Gaza, the status of Jerusalem, Israeli settlements in the West Bank and the lack of a two-state solution.

Ceasefires do nothing to address these core issues, and without meaningful political negotiation they merely set the stage for the next outbreak of violence. Without pressure on both sides, especially Israel, to address the political realities, and without holding Hamas accountable for its attacks on Israeli civilians, there’s little hope that a ceasefire will do more than offer temporary relief. Moreover, regional powers like Iran, Qatar and Egypt have their own interests, which complicates any potential for long-term peace.

Ultimately, the cycle of ceasefires will continue, but it’s unlikely we’ll see lasting peace unless there’s a shift on both sides of the conflict. As long as the fundamental issues remain unaddressed, and as long as regional turmoil continues to impact the dynamics in Gaza, these ceasefires will remain fragile at best. Peace, in the truest sense, still feels like a distant dream, no matter what the headlines say.

Loresa Zeqiraj, FCRH ’28, is a International Studies major from Yorktown, New York..