Three years after Hamas-led attacks on Israel triggered Israel’s invasion of Gaza, the war had not ended, despite a ceasefire, as of Oct. 8, 2026. In Gaza City, displaced Palestinians were sheltering in tents amid damaged buildings. The anniversary offers a stark contrast between a ceasefire and conditions on the ground: an end to active fighting has not yet brought an end to the conflict. The continuing uncertainty shapes daily life for people in Gaza and complicates efforts to restore essential services. A report from Gaza features a resident describing his life now and volunteer doctors discussing the condition of the medical system. Their accounts place the humanitarian consequences of the war alongside the political question of whether the ceasefire can lead to a lasting end to hostilities. The anniversary comes as the effects of the conflict remain visible in the landscape of Gaza City and in the needs of its residents. A ceasefire may mark a pause, but the war’s unresolved status leaves recovery and the future of Gaza uncertain.