Bethlehem, Palestine 2023 – the wall separating Palestine from Israel covered with peace-themed graffiti, Shutterstock 

Israeli perspectives

Haaretz — Netanyahu’s Next Battle: Avoiding October 7 Investigation

Haaretz questions what comes after the ceasefire for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu politically, focusing on domestic accountability and the prime minister’s attempts to avoid an investigation into security failures. For Israel’s left, peace is secondary to justice; the war’s end reopens the debate on responsibility.

Haaretz — Drone Footage Shows Destruction in Gaza City

Visual documentation of devastation shows 83% of structures damaged or destroyed. This piece confronts Israelis with the scale of ruin — a stark mirror to the rhetoric of security.

Times of Israel — After Signing Gaza Deal, Netanyahu Threatens Return to War 

The centrist outlet covers Netanyahu’s hardline stance even after signing the agreement, highlighting peace as a tactical pause, not a transformation.

Al Jazeera — Gaza Ceasefire Tested as Israeli Forces Kill Five Palestinians

Documents ceasefire violations immediately after the agreement, framing the story around Palestinian casualties and doubts about Israel’s commitment.

Al Jazeera — World Leaders Gather in Egypt for Signing of Gaza Ceasefire Deal

Covers the diplomatic ceremony, Egypt’s mediator role and international investment in making the agreement hold.

Middle East Eye — 500,000 People Return to Gaza City Following Ceasefire

Reports on life amid ruins — bodies under rubble, infrastructure collapsed and displaced people returning home.

TRT World — Bodies Retrieved, Relief Work On

Focuses on the human toll and ongoing humanitarian crisis.

Sharq Al-Awsat — Hundreds of Thousands Return to Gaza City as Hamas Deploys Forces

Depicts the apocalyptic landscape while noting the return of Hamas forces and the fragile optimism among survivors.

Tasnim News Agency — Displaced Palestinians Begin Returning to Northern Gaza As Israeli Regime Withdraws – World news – Tasnim News Agency 

The conservative Iranian paper talked about Israel’s lack of full commitment to the peace plan.

NPR — Israel Reduces Aid Deliveries to Gaza

Balances coverage of humanitarian aid cuts, documenting that Israel halved truck entries and halted fuel shipments — creating an immediate post-war emergency.

Washington Post — Hamas Reasserts Control After Ceasefire

Examines who governs reconstruction and what Hamas’s continued control means for the future.

Religion News Service — Bombing Has Stopped But Tragedy Is Only Beginning

Argues that suffering deepens after the fighting ends — when silence conceals trauma.

Democracy Now! — Will Gaza Ceasefire Last? Trump’s Plan ‘Short on Details’

Critiques the US administration’s plan for vagueness and its political framing around President Donald Trump’s “victory.”

Africanews — Ramaphosa: Gaza ceasefire won’t halt South Africa’s genocide case against Israel

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa confirms the Gaza ceasefire won’t stop the International Court of Justice (ICJ) genocide case, with Israel required to respond by January 2026 and oral hearings expected in 2027. October 15, 2025 – Gaza ceasefire news | CNN. He stresses “we cannot go forward without the healing” from proper legal proceedings, echoing the UN and Spanish leaders’ view that “peace without justice is not sustainable.”

European perspectives

DW — Gaza ceasefire deal signed by mediators after hostages freed

DW, a German state-owned news agency, has published a number of articles on the subject, like every major publication in the world. Gaza: Does ceasefire impact international war crimes cases? Some discuss the ramifications for international criminal courts, such as two cases being brought against Israel in the International Criminal Court (ICC) at this very moment.

EU Official Position — Calls for immediate ceasefire while navigating internal divisions

The European Council called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the unconditional release of all hostages, deploring the dire humanitarian situation, unacceptable civilian casualties and levels of starvation. EU position on the situation in the Middle East – Consilium. However, the EU summit revealed deep divisions between countries critical of Israeli actions, like Ireland and Spain, versus Israel-backers Germany and Hungary. EU calls for Gaza ceasefire, stops short of taking action against Israel | Israel-Palestine conflict News | Al Jazeera. The EU is the largest donor for the Palestinian people, providing up to €1.36 billion ($1.58 billion) for 2021–2024 and €1.6 billion ($1.86 billion) for 2025–2027, though delivery mechanics and timelines remain challenging. From ceasefire to governance – the EU steps that matter now | European Union Institute for Security Studies.

European Union Institute for Security Studies (EUISS) — Council – Calls for Immediate Ceasefire While Navigating Internal Divisions

The EUISS commentary argues that the EU must move beyond funding to shape Gaza’s post-ceasefire governance — by reviving civilian missions, reforming the Palestinian Authority and tying aid to compliance with international law. Europe’s leverage depends on speed, coherence and political will.

El País — Ceasefire Must Not Lead to Impunity for Genocide (Middle East Monitor)

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez insists that peace cannot mean forgetting or impunity. Spain maintains its arms embargo on Israel and signals readiness to contribute troops to an international peacekeeping mission.

Xinhua — Wang Yi States China’s Position on Gaza Ceasefire (MFA PRC)

Beijing welcomes the ceasefire and presents itself as a peace broker, while analysts note its competition with Washington for regional influence.

Times of India — ‘India is a great country’: Donald Trump lauds ‘friend’ PM Modi in Gaza peace summit — Watch

Indian coverage focused on Trump’s remarks praising Modi and drawing parallels between India–Pakistan and Israel–Gaza relations — an example of diplomacy as theater rather than strategy.

Looking ahead, hope is tempered by the diversity of voices and goals

As this edition goes to press, the guns are silent, but tension endures. The ceasefire is fragile yet holding. The disputes over returning deceased hostages, Hamas’s refusal to disarm and Netanyahu’s political pressures all threaten progress. The task of reconstructing Gaza and defining who governs it remains monumental.

From Tel Aviv to Cairo, Brussels to Beijing, one truth resonates: Ceasefires are only pauses. Peace will require accountability, massive reconstruction and the courage to address the roots of this cycle, occupation, despair and impunity. Whether Trump’s 20-point plan delivers any of that remains uncertain.

For now, families on both sides experience reunion tinged with grief, and the people of Gaza face the overwhelming labor of rebuilding amid apocalyptic destruction.

What we’ll watch next

— UN donor conference on Gaza reconstruction.

— Israeli political fallout over war investigations.

— ICC proceedings and South Africa’s genocide case timeline.

— Hamas governance structure and humanitarian access coordination.