While the world’s eyes were on Iran, what happened in Gaza?
The Global Story
BBC
3.8 • 667 Ratings
🗓️ 20 April 2026
⏱️ 27 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
When the ceasefire deal was announced more than six months ago, there was celebration and relief in Gaza and Israel. But since the US-led Board of Peace announced plans to rebuild Gaza, the Trump administration’s attention has been occupied by other matters.
The success of the ceasefire deal hinges on Hamas disarmament and the full withdrawal of Israeli troops. So what progress has been made?
We speak to Yolande Knell, the BBC's Middle East correspondent, about life inside Gaza since the Iran War began.
Producers: Sam Chantarasak, Lucy Pawle and Xandra Ellin
Studio managers: Dafydd Evans and Mike Regaard
Executive producer: James Shield
Mix: Travis Evans
Senior news editor: China Collins
Photo credits: A displaced Palestinian woman stands on a balcony inside a building damaged during the war at Al-Aqsa University, now used as a shelter, in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, April 5, 2026. Photo: Reuters/Haseeb Alwazeer.
Transcript
Click on a timestamp to play from that location
| 0:00.0 | In October of last year, the first phase of a ceasefire in Gaza went into effect. |
| 0:13.7 | At the time, there was a sense of relief that the daily destruction in Gaza might end, that the |
| 0:20.0 | remaining Israeli hostages held by Hamas |
| 0:22.1 | since October 7th would be released. |
| 0:24.7 | President Trump spoke about peace and prosperity. |
| 0:27.8 | And even if some in the region felt his plans were unrealistic, |
| 0:31.5 | his team was nonetheless focused on the region. |
| 0:36.1 | But in the months since, with Venezuela, then Iran and Lebanon, Trump, |
| 0:41.0 | his diplomats, frankly, the world's attention have all been diverted elsewhere. What does that |
| 0:48.8 | mean for the people in Gaza and the international pressure for a lasting ceasefire. |
| 0:57.1 | From the BBC, I'm Asma Khalid in London. |
| 1:04.3 | And today on the global story, with all eyes on Iran and Lebanon, we ask what's been happening in Gaza. |
| 1:13.0 | So the other day, we got a message from a listener of our show. |
| 1:17.5 | Hello, Asma and Tristan. I'm so happy to be writing to you. |
| 1:22.0 | Randolph emailed us at The Global Story at BBC.com with an idea. I was wondering whether it might be possible for you to make an episode about the current situation in Gaza and walk less ahead. |
| 1:32.9 | It seems international attention has shifted away from Gaza. |
| 1:37.7 | That's why I would really appreciate an episode exploring the current situation there, |
| 1:42.7 | the daily lives of civilians, and the latest |
| 1:45.7 | development regarding the second phase of the ceasefire. |
| 1:49.1 | Thank you, asthma, Tristam, and all the fantastic producers. |
| 1:53.4 | Love you. |
| 1:54.3 | Cheerio. |
... |
Please login to see the full transcript.
Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from BBC, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.
Generated transcripts are the property of BBC and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.
Copyright © Tapesearch 2026.