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T respite following the halt in hostilities in Gaza is substantial. Across Israel, the freeing of surviving detainees has led to extensive joy. In Gaza and the West Bank, celebrations have commenced as approximately 2,000 Palestinian inmates are being freed – though anguish lingers due to uncertainty about which prisoners are returning and their eventual placements. In northern Gaza, residents can now go back to search the debris for the bodies of an approximated 10,000 missing people.

Peace Breakthrough Contrary to Prior Uncertainty

Only three weeks ago, the likelihood of a ceasefire appeared remote. Yet it has come into force, and on Monday Donald Trump departed Jerusalem, where he was applauded in the Knesset, to Sharm el-Sheikh in Egypt. There, he joined a high-level peace conference of over 20 world leaders, among them Sir Keir Starmer. The diplomatic roadmap launched at that summit is set to advance at a conference in the UK. The US president, acting with international partners, did make this deal happen – regardless of, not due to, Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Aspirations for Sovereignty Moderated by Past Precedents

Expectations that the deal represents the first step toward Palestinian statehood are reasonable – but, considering historical precedent, somewhat optimistic. It offers no clear path to self-rule for Palestinians and risks splitting, for the near term, Gaza from the West Bank. Then there is the complete destruction this war has caused. The omission of any timeframe for Palestinian autonomy in the US initiative undermines self-aggrandizing references, in his Knesset speech, to the “historic dawn” of a “era of prosperity”.

Donald Trump could not help himself dividing and making personal the deal in his speech.

In a moment of relief – with the liberation of detainees, truce and restart of aid – he opted to reframe it as a morality play in which he exclusively restored Israel’s dignity after alleged treachery by previous American leaders Obama and Biden. This despite the Biden administration a year ago having undertaken a analogous arrangement: a cessation of hostilities tied to humanitarian access and eventual diplomatic discussions.

Substantive Control Essential for Authentic Resolution

A initiative that withholds one side substantive control cannot produce sustainable agreement. The truce and relief shipments are to be embraced. But this is not yet policy development. Without mechanisms guaranteeing Palestinian participation and authority over their own establishments, any deal endangers cementing domination under the discourse of peace.

Relief Imperatives and Reconstruction Challenges

Gaza’s people crucially depend on emergency support – and sustenance and pharmaceuticals must be the first priority. But restoration must not be delayed. Amid 60 million tonnes of debris, Palestinians need support repairing homes, educational facilities, medical centers, religious buildings and other establishments shattered by Israel’s invasion. For Gaza’s transitional administration to prosper, funding must be disbursed rapidly and security gaps be addressed.

Like a large portion of Donald Trump's resolution initiative, references to an multinational security contingent and a suggested “board of peace” are disturbingly unclear.

Global Backing and Prospective Outcomes

Substantial global backing for the Palestinian leadership, enabling it to succeed Hamas, is probably the most encouraging possibility. The immense hardship of the previous 24 months means the ethical argument for a solution to the conflict is potentially more urgent than ever. But although the truce, the repatriation of the hostages and vow by Hamas to “remove weapons from” Gaza should be acknowledged as positive steps, Mr Trump’s record gives little reason to have faith he will accomplish – or deem himself compelled to attempt. Short-term relief does not imply that the prospect of a Palestinian state has been advanced.