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The U.S. State Department said that, one year after the Sharm el-Sheikh Agreement took effect, the United States and its partners have made "real progress" toward demilitarizing Gaza and establishing civilian governance free from Hamas rule, alongside long-term security for Israel.

Department officials said the ceasefire deal, which the administration of President Donald Trump helped prepare, has produced a series of notable achievements that lay the groundwork for "a new Gaza." They cited a lasting ceasefire, the return of all hostages, living and dead, and the creation of a Peace Board and a Palestinian technocratic administration to govern the territory. The statement acknowledged that rebuilding Gaza would be a difficult, multi-year process to implement.

Israeli attacks have continued despite the ceasefire, which has been in effect for about a year. According to data released by Gaza's Health Ministry on Oct. 8, 1,471 Palestinians were killed and 5,189 wounded in Israeli strikes since the ceasefire began. The same figures put the overall death toll in Gaza since October 2023 at 74,254, with 175,306 people injured.

Key Takeaways

• The U.S. State Department says real progress has been made toward demilitarizing Gaza and setting up civilian rule beyond Hamas.
• Cited steps include a lasting ceasefire, the return of all hostages, and a Peace Board and Palestinian technocratic administration.
• Gaza's Health Ministry reports 1,471 Palestinians killed and 5,189 wounded in strikes since the ceasefire began.