‘Nothing’s changed’ in Gaza as US peace deal enters second phase
- Last updated: January 18, 2026 | 22:47 ..
From his tent in Gaza City, Mahmoud Abdel Aal said residents were frustrated and worried because nothing had changed in the Palestinian territory since the start of the US-brokered ceasefire’s second phase.
In a post-apocalyptic landscape of bombed-out buildings and makeshift camps devastated by recent winter rains, Palestinians who spoke to AFP mostly expressed bitterness.
Though Israeli strikes have been less intense since the ceasefire between Hamas and Israel began in October 2025, bombs still fall every day.
After US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff announced the start of the second phase of US President Donald Trump’s peace plan for Gaza on Wednesday, more than 14 people were killed in the tiny coastal territory, according to the Gaza civil defence agency.
Israel and Hamas have repeatedly accused each other of violating the ceasefire’s terms.
“There is no difference between the war and the ceasefire, nor between the first and second phase of the deal: strikes continue every day,” Abdel Aal said. “Everyone is worried and frustrated because nothing’s changed.”
On Friday, an AFP photographer saw members of the Houli family walk through rubble after five of their relatives were killed in an air strike on their house in central Gaza’s Deir Al Balah.
Hamas announced the death of Mahmud Al Houli, described as a military officer of the movement, while Israel’s military said it carried out strikes on Thursday against members of Hamas and Islamic Jihad’s armed wings in response to what it considers violations of the ceasefire.
Houli family neighbour Ahmad Suleiman said the announcement of the ceasefire’s second phase was “all over the media, but the reality is different.”
“There is no ceasefire, otherwise look at what the ceasefire has brought,” he told AFP, pointing to the destroyed building.
Most residents interviewed by AFP said they were sceptical about recent announcements regarding the formation of the so-called “Board of Peace,” an entity chaired by Trump and supposed to oversee reconstruction, and a Palestinian technocratic committee with which it is to work. “No one is concerned for us,” said Hossam Majed, who is living in the ruins of his home in Gaza City.
“The whole world meets in Cairo to talk about Gaza, but they can’t even enter it,” he told AFP.
“Israel will use the pretext of handing over the last body (of a hostage), then the weapons (of Hamas), and the second phase will stretch over additional years,” he said.
Agence France-Presse