There are supposed to be ceasefires across the Middle East. The fighting is worsening

By — Sam Metz, Associated Press Sam Metz, Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/there-are-supposed-to-be-ceasefires-across-the-middle-east-the-fighting-is-worsening Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter There are supposed to be ceasefires across the Middle East. The fighting is worsening World Jun 2, 2026 5:07 PM EDT RAMALLAH, West Bank (AP) — Ceasefires have been announced, often to great fanfare, in Gaza, Lebanon and Iran. So why is there still so much fighting? In just the last few weeks, Israeli forces have captured more territory in Gaza and killed two top Hamas militants there, as well as more than a dozen other people. In Lebanon, Israeli troops captured a Crusader fortress over the weekend in their deepest incursion in 26 years, as Hezbollah kept up rocket fire into northern Israel. WATCH: Rubio testifies on Capitol Hill for the 1st time since start of Iran war The fighting in Lebanon showed no sign of letting up on Tuesday, after President Donald Trump said both sides had agreed — again — to de-escalate. The United States and Iran have traded fire, most recently on Monday, as they try to reach a more lasting truce. Iran has maintained its chokehold over the Strait of Hormuz, perpetuating a global fuel crisis, while the U.S. has tried to cement its naval blockade on Iranian ports. None of the warring parties have officially exited the ceasefires, but the term is rapidly losing its meaning. Israel strikes Gaza and troops advance Trump held up the October ceasefire in Gaza as a major foreign policy accomplishment that could lead to Mideast peace. But while it ended two years of full-scale hostilities and brought about the release of all remaining hostages taken in Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023, attack, no further progress has been made. READ MORE: Trump appears to dispute state media reports that Iran cut off talks Hamas has yet to disarm, and Israeli troops have advanced rather than withdrawn. An international stabilization force has yet to materialize, a new Palestinian administration is still in limbo, and reconstruction of the largely flattened territory has yet to begin. Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians remain in squalid tent camps, living with the stench of sewage and rodent infestations, and in fear of Israeli strikes. The U.S. and Israel blame Hamas, saying its refusal to disarm has held up the process. Hamas accuses Israel of repeatedly violating the ceasefire, including through regular strikes that have killed at least 932 Palestinians, including women and children, since it took effect, according to local health officials. READ MORE: Iranian reports: Iran stops talking to mediators over Israel fighting Hezbollah in Lebanon In both Gaza and Lebanon, Israel says it maintains the right to strike in response to perceived threats or attempts by suspected militants to cross sometimes blurry front lines — which are shifting as troops seize more ter