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The respite brought by the end of fighting in Gaza is substantial. Across Israel, the freeing of captives held alive has sparked broad celebration. Throughout Gaza and the West Bank, jubilations are also underway as up to 2,000 Palestinian prisoners are being freed – though concern lingers due to doubt about who is being freed and their destinations. Across northern Gaza, residents can finally return to sift through wreckage for the remnants of an approximated 10,000 unaccounted-for individuals.

Truce Development Contrary to Prior Uncertainty

As recently as three weeks ago, the likelihood of a ceasefire looked improbable. But it has been implemented, and on Monday Donald Trump journeyed from Jerusalem, where he was cheered in the Knesset, to Sharm el-Sheikh in Egypt. There, he participated in a prestigious peace summit of more than 20 world leaders, among them Sir Keir Starmer. The plan for peace launched at that summit is due to be continued at a meeting in the UK. The US president, cooperating with international partners, managed to secure this deal happen – contrary to, not due to, Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Palestinian Statehood Hopes Tempered by Previous Experiences

Hopes that the deal signifies the opening phase toward Palestinian statehood are comprehensible – but, given previous instances, somewhat optimistic. It provides no definite route to self-rule for Palestinians and endangers splitting, for the foreseeable future, Gaza from the West Bank. Furthermore the complete destruction this war has produced. The absence of any schedule for Palestinian autonomy in the presidential proposal undermines boastful references, in his Knesset speech, to the “monumental start” of a “age of abundance”.

The American leader was unable to refrain from sowing division and individualizing the deal in his speech.

In a period of ease – with the liberation of detainees, ceasefire and renewal of aid – he decided to reinterpret it as a morality play in which he alone reclaimed Israel’s prestige after alleged treachery by former US presidents Obama and Biden. Notwithstanding the Biden administration a year ago having undertaken a comparable agreement: a truce connected with aid delivery and future political talks.

Substantive Control Essential for Sustainable Agreement

A initiative that refuses one side meaningful agency cannot yield sustainable agreement. The ceasefire and humanitarian convoys are to be embraced. But this is not currently political progress. Without processes ensuring Palestinian engagement and authority over their own organizations, any deal endangers freezing subjugation under the rhetoric of peace.

Humanitarian Priorities and Recovery Hurdles

Gaza’s people urgently require humanitarian aid – and sustenance and pharmaceuticals must be the initial concern. But restoration cannot wait. Amid 60 million tonnes of debris, Palestinians need support repairing residences, educational facilities, hospitals, places of worship and other institutions shattered by Israel’s incursion. For Gaza’s transitional administration to thrive, monetary resources must flow quickly and safety deficiencies be remedied.

Like much of Mr Trump’s diplomatic proposal, allusions to an multinational security contingent and a proposed “peace council” are worryingly ambiguous.

International Support and Future Prospects

Strong global backing for the Palestinian leadership, enabling it to replace Hamas, is likely the most encouraging prospect. The enormous suffering of the recent period means the moral case for a solution to the conflict is potentially more critical than ever. But although the halt in fighting, the repatriation of the detainees and vow by Hamas to “disarm” Gaza should be acknowledged as constructive moves, the president's track record offers minimal cause to believe he will fulfill – or consider himself obligated to try. Immediate respite does not mean that the possibility of a Palestinian state has been advanced.