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T reprieve following the end of fighting in Gaza is substantial. Across Israel, the release of surviving detainees has sparked widespread elation. Across Palestinian territories, festivities are taking place as as many as 2,000 Palestinian detainees begin their release – even as concern remains due to ambiguity about which prisoners are returning and where they will be sent. Throughout Gaza's northern regions, civilians can now return to search the debris for the remains of an believed 10,000 those who have disappeared.

Truce Development Despite Prior Uncertainty

Only three weeks ago, the chance of a ceasefire seemed unlikely. Yet it has taken effect, and on Monday Donald Trump travelled from Jerusalem, where he was applauded in the Knesset, to Sharm el-Sheikh in Egypt. There, he participated in a high-powered peace summit of more than 20 world leaders, featuring Sir Keir Starmer. The diplomatic roadmap launched at that summit is due to be continued at a assembly in the UK. The US president, cooperating with international partners, managed to secure this deal come to fruition – regardless of, not owing to, Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Palestinian Statehood Hopes Moderated by Past Precedents

Hopes that the deal signifies the first step toward Palestinian statehood are comprehensible – but, given previous instances, rather hopeful. It provides no definite route to sovereignty for Palestinians and risks dividing, for the near term, Gaza from the West Bank. Additionally the utter devastation this war has produced. The absence of any timeframe for Palestinian self-governance in the US initiative contradicts vainglorious allusions, in his Knesset speech, to the “historic dawn” of a “era of prosperity”.

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

In a period of ease – with the freeing of captives, ceasefire and restart of aid – he chose to recast it as a ethical drama in which he solely reinstated Israel’s dignity after supposed treachery by past US commanders-in-chief Obama and Biden. This even as the Biden administration a year ago having tried a analogous arrangement: a cessation of hostilities tied to relief entry and ultimate political talks.

Substantive Control Crucial for Authentic Resolution

A plan that denies one side genuine autonomy cannot produce sustainable agreement. The ceasefire and humanitarian convoys are to be embraced. But this is not yet policy development. Without systems guaranteeing Palestinian participation and command over their own organizations, any deal threatens freezing oppression under the language of peace.

Humanitarian Priorities and Reconstruction Challenges

Gaza’s people desperately need humanitarian aid – and sustenance and pharmaceuticals must be the primary focus. But rebuilding must not be delayed. Amid 60 million tonnes of wreckage, Palestinians need assistance repairing homes, schools, healthcare facilities, places of worship and other establishments destroyed by Israel’s military operation. For Gaza’s transitional administration to prosper, monetary resources must flow quickly and security gaps be addressed.

Similar to a large portion of the president's diplomatic proposal, mentions to an multinational security contingent and a proposed “board of peace” are worryingly ambiguous.

International Support and Potential Developments

Robust international support for the Palestinian leadership, allowing it to take over from Hamas, is likely the most promising possibility. The immense hardship of the recent period means the humanitarian imperative for a resolution to the conflict is possibly more urgent than ever. But while the halt in fighting, the repatriation of the captives and vow by Hamas to “demilitarise” Gaza should be recognized as constructive moves, Donald Trump's record provides scant basis to trust he will accomplish – or consider himself obligated to try. Short-term relief does not imply that the possibility of a Palestinian state has been brought closer.