'The Trump plan changed nothing': One year later, Gaza still lives in ruins, under bombs

DAWOUD ABU ALKAS / REUTERS World World World Middle East wars Middle East wars Middle East wars 'The Trump plan changed nothing': One year later, Gaza still lives in ruins, under bombs By Marie Jo Sader , Francesca Fattori and Victor Simonnet Published today at 9:00 pm (Paris) 5 min read Lire en français Subscribers only Make us preferred on Google share Share on Messenger Share on Facebook Share by email Share on Linkedin Copy link In Maps Three years after the Hamas attacks of October 7, 2023, residents of the Palestinian territory continue to live among rubble. The plan brokered under the auspices of the American president on October 10, 2025 has stalled, and despite the ceasefire it provides for, Israel's campaign of destruction has continued. Watine Hamad is 1 year old. She was born on the eve of the ceasefire concluded between Hamas and Israel on October 10, 2025. The little girl arrived as a "miracle" after years of waiting for Ali and Hyam Hamad, who had struggled to have children. But this was not how they imagined watching her grow up. Like over 1 million residents of the Gaza Strip, the family lives under a patched-up tent, exposed to insects, rodents and dense, overpopulated conditions in the midst of a devastated land. "Next to a landfill," Ali Hamad said. "That's my daughter's environment: foul odors, skin diseases and respiratory infections. This is not the life I wanted for her," said the 38-year-old over the phone, one of the only ways to gather testimonies from Gaza, as Israel has barred foreign media from entering the Palestinian territory for three years. Gaza before 2023 Area under Hamas control since Palestinian civil war of 2007 Border closed by fence or wall doubled by restricted zone Israeli control after two years of war Maximum Israeli military presence prior to Trump plan Proposed withdrawal under the Trump plan “Yellow line” cutting Gaza in two since the ceasefire that came into effect on October 10, 2025 (with 53% of the Gaza Strip to the east) Withdrawal line under phase two of the Trump plan, never implemented The “yellow line” “Yellow line” splitting Gaza in two since the ceasefire that came into effect on October 10, 2025 (with 53% of the Gaza Strip to the east) “Orange line” established by the Israeli army in spring 2026, within which all humanitarian activity is coordinated with the army (12% of the Gaza Strip) Israeli control Area occupied by the Israeli army (53% of the Gaza Strip) Area in which all movement must be coordinated with the Israeli army (12% of the Gaza Strip) Israeli military site Support of Palestinian militias Presence of Israeli army-affiliated Palestinian militias and their families What Palestinians still control Area controlled by Hamas (35% of the Gaza Strip) Area where it is dangerous for Palestinians to go Sources: Forensic Architecture, Haaretz , White House, OCHA, Israeli army. Infographic: Le Monde Structure damaged since October 7, 2023, based on the number of times new damage was detected in satellite images: 1 2 3 4 5 or more Structure Structure struck since the ceasefire of October 10, 2025 2024 2025 2026 August 3, 2026 North Gaza Beit Hanoun Beit Lahya Jabaliya camp Jabaliya Al-Shati camp Gaza Gaza City Nousseirat camp Al-Boureij camp Deir al-Balah Deir al-Balah Al-Qarara Khan Yunis Bani Suheila Abasan al-Kabira Khan Yunis camp Khan Yunis Rafah Tal al-Sultan Rafah camp Rafah Source: Analysis of Copernicus Sentinel-1 radar data by Conflict Ecology, Oregon State University. Infographic: Le Monde The population has been left drained. One year ago, they marked the announcement of a ceasefire, a barely applicable term, in devastated streets. Brokered by United States President Donald Trump , the deal was meant to end Israel's campaign of destruction against the Palestinian enclave following the Hamas terrorist attacks on October 7, 2023. In exchange, it called for the Palestinian Islamist group to release all hostages, to disarm and to completely withdraw from political life. At the same time, "full" humanitarian aid was supposed to be delivered, reconstruction was to begin, and the Israeli army was to start pull out. One year later, Israel troops remain in Gaza. The army's occupation extends to two-thirds of the territory, forcing more than 2.2 million residents into just 130 square kilometers. The Hamad family, originally from the Bureij camp in central Gaza, will never see their home again. Located east of the "yellow line," on the side occupied by the Israelis, it is now just a pile of rubble, like nearly all buildings in this part of the enclave, which were methodically flattened by the Israeli army. Turned into a buffer zone, the no man's land is dotted with military outposts and hosts highly unpopular Palestinian militias , trained and armed by Israel to conduct attacks against Hamas. You have 72.57% of this article left to read. The rest is for subscribers only.