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The respite following the halt in hostilities in Gaza is substantial. Within Israeli borders, the release of the living hostages has led to widespread elation. In Gaza and the West Bank, jubilations have commenced as as many as 2,000 Palestinian detainees are being freed – although distress lingers due to uncertainty about which prisoners are returning and their destinations. In northern Gaza, residents can now go back to dig through rubble for the bodies of an approximated 10,000 missing people.

Peace Breakthrough Despite Previous Doubts

As recently as three weeks ago, the probability of a ceasefire appeared remote. 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 high-powered peace conference of more than 20 world leaders, including Sir Keir Starmer. The peace initiative initiated there is set to advance at a assembly in the UK. The US president, cooperating with international partners, managed to secure this deal happen – contrary to, not owing to, Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Palestinian Statehood Hopes Tempered by Previous Experiences

Aspirations that the deal signifies the first step toward Palestinian statehood are comprehensible – but, in light of past occurrences, rather hopeful. It offers no clear path to self-rule for Palestinians and risks separating, for the foreseeable future, Gaza from the West Bank. Additionally the utter devastation this war has produced. The lack of any timeline for Palestinian self-determination in Mr Trump’s plan gives the lie to self-aggrandizing allusions, in his Knesset speech, to the “monumental start” of a “era of prosperity”.

Donald Trump could not resist polarising and personalising the deal in his speech.

In a period of relief – with the liberation of detainees, truce and resumption of aid – he chose to recast it as a morality play in which he solely reinstated Israel’s dignity after supposed disloyalty by past US commanders-in-chief Obama and Biden. Notwithstanding the Biden administration previously having attempted a similar deal: a cessation of hostilities connected with relief entry and eventual political talks.

Substantive Control Vital for Sustainable Agreement

A initiative that refuses one side substantive control cannot yield legitimate peace. The ceasefire and humanitarian convoys are to be applauded. But this is not currently policy development. Without mechanisms securing Palestinian involvement and command over their own organizations, any deal threatens freezing subjugation under the rhetoric of peace.

Humanitarian Priorities and Reconstruction Challenges

Gaza’s people urgently require humanitarian aid – and food and medicines must be the first priority. But rebuilding should not be postponed. Among 60 million tonnes of rubble, Palestinians need assistance restoring dwellings, educational facilities, healthcare facilities, religious buildings and other institutions shattered by Israel’s military operation. For Gaza’s transitional administration to succeed, monetary resources must flow quickly and safety deficiencies be remedied.

Similar to much of Mr Trump’s resolution initiative, allusions to an multinational security contingent and a recommended “board of peace” are alarmingly vague.

International Support and Potential Developments

Substantial global backing for the Gaza's governing body, permitting it to succeed Hamas, is perhaps the most encouraging scenario. The tremendous pain of the recent period means the moral case for a solution to the conflict is arguably more urgent than ever. But even as the halt in fighting, the repatriation of the captives and pledge by Hamas to “demilitarise” Gaza should be accepted as favorable developments, the president's history offers minimal cause to trust he will deliver – or deem himself compelled to endeavor. Temporary ease should not be interpreted as that the likelihood of a Palestinian state has been moved nearer.