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T respite following the halt in hostilities in Gaza is profound. Across Israel, the liberation of captives held alive has resulted in extensive joy. Across Palestinian territories, jubilations are also underway as up to 2,000 Palestinian prisoners start to be released – although distress lingers due to doubt about the identities of those released and where they will be sent. In northern Gaza, civilians can now return to dig through rubble for the remnants of an approximated 10,000 unaccounted-for individuals.

Ceasefire Emergence Contrary to Previous Doubts

Just three weeks ago, the likelihood of a ceasefire appeared remote. Yet it has been implemented, and on Monday Donald Trump departed Jerusalem, where he was applauded in the Knesset, to Sharm el-Sheikh in Egypt. There, he participated in a high-level peace summit of more than 20 world leaders, featuring Sir Keir Starmer. The plan for peace initiated there is set to advance at a meeting in the UK. The US president, working alongside international partners, managed to secure this deal take place – regardless of, not due to, Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Aspirations for Sovereignty Moderated by Historical Realities

Hopes that the deal represents the initial move toward Palestinian statehood are reasonable – but, given previous instances, rather hopeful. It provides no definite route to self-rule for Palestinians and threatens separating, for the near term, Gaza from the West Bank. Additionally the total ruin this war has produced. The absence of any timeframe for Palestinian self-governance in the presidential proposal undermines self-aggrandizing allusions, in his Knesset speech, to the “historic dawn” of a “age of abundance”.

The American leader could not help himself polarising and individualizing the deal in his speech.

In a time of relief – with the hostage release, halt in fighting and restart of aid – he decided to reinterpret it as a lesson in ethics in which he exclusively reinstated Israel’s dignity after alleged treachery by past US commanders-in-chief Obama and Biden. This despite the Biden administration a year ago having attempted a comparable agreement: a cessation of hostilities connected with aid delivery and ultimate negotiations.

Substantive Control Vital for Legitimate Peace

A proposal that refuses one side meaningful agency is incapable of delivering authentic resolution. The halt in hostilities and aid trucks are to be applauded. But this is still not political progress. Without processes guaranteeing Palestinian involvement and authority over their own establishments, any deal threatens cementing subjugation under the rhetoric of peace.

Humanitarian Priorities and Recovery Hurdles

Gaza’s people urgently require humanitarian aid – and nutrition and medication must be the primary focus. But rebuilding should not be postponed. Amid 60 million tonnes of debris, Palestinians need support reconstructing residences, educational facilities, medical centers, religious buildings and other organizations devastated by Israel’s invasion. For Gaza’s interim government to prosper, monetary resources must flow quickly and protection voids be addressed.

Comparable with a great deal of Donald Trump's resolution initiative, mentions to an multinational security contingent and a recommended “diplomatic committee” are alarmingly vague.

International Support and Future Prospects

Strong worldwide endorsement for the Palestinian Authority, permitting it to succeed Hamas, is likely the most hopeful possibility. The tremendous pain of the past two years means the ethical argument for a solution to the conflict is potentially more critical than ever. But even as the ceasefire, the homecoming of the captives and pledge by Hamas to “remove weapons from” Gaza should be acknowledged as favorable developments, the president's history gives little reason to trust he will fulfill – or deem himself compelled to attempt. Short-term relief does not imply that the possibility of a Palestinian state has been brought closer.