As winter storms hit Gaza, Hamas still rules and Donald Trump's peace plan stalls - analysis

Analysis: 1,131 days after October 7, Hamas still controls 30% of Gaza where all 2 million civilians are concentrated. The US-backed peace plan of October 2025 has stalled due to Israel's elections and the Iran war. The Board of Peace posted a statement on Monday about severe winter flooding, urging Israel to authorize shelter materials and calling on Hamas to disarm. Most Hamas commanders have been killed, but the group continues to recruit. Civilians cannot leave the Hamas-controlled area.

It has been 1,131 days since October 7, and Hamas continues to control all 2 million civilians in Gaza, now concentrated in the 30% of the enclave it governs. The US-backed ceasefire and peace plan of October 2025, which envisioned an international stabilization force and a technocratic committee running Gaza, has stalled due to Israel's elections and the Iran war that began in February 2026. On Monday, the Board of Peace, created as part of the plan, posted a statement about severe winter flooding that has harmed tens of thousands of people in tents. The board said it has enabled humanitarian aid but warned that 'the gains are not enough' and urged Israel to authorize entry of materials for temporary shelter, while also calling on Hamas to lay down its arms. The article notes that most Hamas commanders have been killed by the fall of 2024, but the group continues to recruit. The IDF controls about 70% of Gaza, and civilians have no way to leave the Hamas zone. The Trump administration appears to be waiting for the results of Israeli elections, and no real progress on reconstruction or deploying the international force has been made.