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The relief brought by the end of fighting in Gaza is immense. Across Israel, the freeing of captives held alive has led to broad celebration. Across Palestinian territories, jubilations are taking place as as many as 2,000 Palestinian inmates start to be released – though distress lingers due to ambiguity about who is being freed and their eventual placements. Across northern Gaza, people can at last reenter search the debris for the remains of an approximated 10,000 unaccounted-for individuals.

Peace Breakthrough Despite Previous Doubts

Only three weeks ago, the probability of a ceasefire looked improbable. However it has been implemented, and on Monday Donald Trump travelled from Jerusalem, where he was cheered in the Knesset, to Sharm el-Sheikh in Egypt. There, he attended a prestigious peace conference of in excess of 20 world leaders, among them Sir Keir Starmer. The diplomatic roadmap initiated there is due to be continued at a conference in the UK. The US president, cooperating with international partners, did make this deal take place – despite, not owing to, Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Palestinian Statehood Hopes Qualified by Historical Realities

Hopes that the deal marks the opening phase toward Palestinian statehood are reasonable – but, considering previous instances, rather hopeful. It offers no clear path to sovereignty for Palestinians and risks dividing, for the immediate period, Gaza from the West Bank. Additionally the complete destruction this war has produced. The absence of any schedule for Palestinian self-governance in the presidential proposal undermines boastful mentions, in his Knesset speech, to the “monumental start” of a “golden age”.

The US president could not help himself dividing and individualizing the deal in his speech.

In a time of relief – with the liberation of detainees, ceasefire and resumption of aid – he opted to reframe it as a ethical drama in which he alone reinstated Israel’s honor after alleged treachery by former US presidents Obama and Biden. This despite the Biden administration a year ago having attempted a similar deal: a cessation of hostilities tied to humanitarian access and eventual diplomatic discussions.

Genuine Autonomy Vital for Authentic Resolution

A plan that denies one side substantive control cannot produce sustainable agreement. The halt in hostilities and humanitarian convoys are to be applauded. But this is not yet policy development. Without systems guaranteeing Palestinian participation and authority over their own organizations, any deal risks cementing domination under the language of peace.

Aid Necessities and Rebuilding Obstacles

Gaza’s people desperately need humanitarian aid – and nutrition and medication must be the first priority. But rebuilding must not be delayed. Within 60 million tonnes of debris, Palestinians need help restoring residences, learning institutions, healthcare facilities, religious buildings and other institutions devastated by Israel’s incursion. For Gaza’s provisional leadership to thrive, funding must arrive promptly and safety deficiencies be remedied.

Similar to a great deal of Donald Trump's resolution initiative, mentions to an international stabilisation force and a suggested “diplomatic committee” are worryingly ambiguous.

International Support and Future Prospects

Substantial worldwide endorsement for the Palestinian leadership, enabling it to succeed Hamas, is probably the most encouraging possibility. The enormous suffering of the past two years means the ethical argument for a settlement to the conflict is possibly more urgent than ever. But even as the truce, the return of the detainees and pledge by Hamas to “remove weapons from” Gaza should be recognized as constructive moves, the president's track record gives little reason to believe he will fulfill – or feel bound to attempt. Short-term relief should not be interpreted as that the prospect of a Palestinian state has been advanced.