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T reprieve resulting from the ceasefire in Gaza is substantial. In Israel, the liberation of surviving detainees has sparked broad celebration. In Gaza and the West Bank, jubilations are also underway as as many as 2,000 Palestinian detainees are being freed – though concern remains due to ambiguity about the identities of those released and where they will be sent. Throughout Gaza's northern regions, residents can at last go back to dig through rubble for the remains of an estimated 10,000 unaccounted-for individuals.

Truce Development Contrary to Previous Doubts

Only three weeks ago, the likelihood of a ceasefire seemed unlikely. But it has come into force, and on Monday Donald Trump departed Jerusalem, where he was cheered in the Knesset, to Sharm el-Sheikh in Egypt. There, he attended a high-level peace conference of over 20 world leaders, among them Sir Keir Starmer. The peace initiative launched at that summit is due to be continued at a assembly in the UK. The US president, acting with international partners, successfully brokered this deal come to fruition – despite, not because of, Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Palestinian Statehood Hopes Qualified by Past Precedents

Aspirations that the deal represents the first step toward Palestinian statehood are reasonable – but, considering previous instances, slightly idealistic. It provides no definite route to independence for Palestinians and threatens splitting, for the immediate period, Gaza from the West Bank. Furthermore the total ruin this war has caused. The lack of any schedule for Palestinian autonomy in the presidential proposal undermines boastful references, in his Knesset speech, to the “historic dawn” of a “age of abundance”.

The US president was unable to refrain from polarising and making personal the deal in his speech.

In a period of respite – with the hostage release, ceasefire and restart of aid – he chose to recast it as a morality play in which he exclusively reinstated Israel’s prestige after purported treachery by previous American leaders Obama and Biden. Notwithstanding the Biden administration twelve months prior having tried a similar deal: a truce tied to aid delivery and future diplomatic discussions.

Substantive Control Crucial for Authentic Resolution

A initiative that withholds one side genuine autonomy cannot yield sustainable agreement. The ceasefire and humanitarian convoys are to be embraced. But this is still not policy development. Without systems ensuring Palestinian engagement and control over their own organizations, any deal risks perpetuating oppression under the rhetoric of peace.

Relief Imperatives and Reconstruction Challenges

Gaza’s people crucially depend on relief assistance – and food and medicines must be the first priority. But reconstruction must not be delayed. Within 60 million tonnes of debris, Palestinians need assistance repairing homes, schools, healthcare facilities, mosques and other organizations shattered by Israel’s invasion. For Gaza’s interim government to succeed, funding must arrive promptly and safety deficiencies be addressed.

Like a large portion of Mr Trump’s peace plan, allusions to an global peacekeeping unit and a suggested “diplomatic committee” are alarmingly vague.

Global Backing and Prospective Outcomes

Robust worldwide endorsement for the Palestinian leadership, permitting it to replace Hamas, is perhaps the most hopeful prospect. The enormous suffering of the past two years means the humanitarian imperative for a settlement to the conflict is possibly more pressing than ever. But while the halt in fighting, the return of the detainees and pledge by Hamas to “disarm” Gaza should be accepted as favorable developments, Donald Trump's record gives little reason to trust he will accomplish – or consider himself obligated to try. Immediate respite does not imply that the possibility of a Palestinian state has been brought closer.