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T reprieve resulting from the halt in hostilities in Gaza is profound. Within Israeli borders, the freeing of the living hostages has led to broad celebration. In Gaza and the West Bank, festivities are also underway as approximately 2,000 Palestinian prisoners are being freed – although distress persists due to doubt about who is being freed and their eventual placements. Across northern Gaza, residents can at last reenter dig through rubble for the remnants of an believed 10,000 missing people.

Peace Breakthrough Contrary to Previous Doubts

As recently as three weeks ago, the chance of a ceasefire looked improbable. But it has been implemented, and on Monday Donald Trump journeyed from Jerusalem, where he was hailed in the Knesset, to Sharm el-Sheikh in Egypt. There, he attended a high-powered peace conference of in excess of 20 world leaders, featuring Sir Keir Starmer. The diplomatic roadmap initiated there is set to advance at a meeting in the UK. The US president, cooperating with international partners, managed to secure this deal take place – contrary to, not because of, Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Aspirations for Sovereignty Qualified by Previous Experiences

Hopes that the deal marks the initial move toward Palestinian statehood are understandable – but, given previous instances, slightly idealistic. It offers no clear path to self-rule for Palestinians and threatens separating, for the near term, Gaza from the West Bank. Then there is the total ruin this war has caused. The omission of any timeframe for Palestinian self-determination in Mr Trump’s plan undermines boastful references, in his Knesset speech, to the “historic dawn” of a “era of prosperity”.

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

In a period of ease – with the hostage release, ceasefire and resumption of aid – he decided to reinterpret it as a lesson in ethics in which he alone reclaimed Israel’s prestige after supposed treachery by past US commanders-in-chief Obama and Biden. This despite the Biden administration previously having attempted a similar deal: a truce tied to aid delivery and ultimate political talks.

Meaningful Agency Essential for Sustainable Agreement

A plan that withholds one side genuine autonomy cannot yield legitimate peace. The truce and relief shipments are to be applauded. But this is not currently political progress. Without mechanisms ensuring Palestinian engagement and authority over their own establishments, any deal endangers perpetuating oppression under the language of peace.

Relief Imperatives and Recovery Hurdles

Gaza’s people crucially depend on relief assistance – and food and medicines must be the initial concern. But restoration cannot wait. Within 60 million tonnes of rubble, Palestinians need support reconstructing homes, schools, medical centers, places of worship and other establishments shattered by Israel’s invasion. For Gaza’s transitional administration to thrive, financial support must flow quickly and safety deficiencies be remedied.

Like much of the president's diplomatic proposal, references to an global peacekeeping unit and a recommended “diplomatic committee” are disturbingly unclear.

Worldwide Endorsement and Prospective Outcomes

Robust international support for the Palestinian Authority, allowing it to succeed Hamas, is probably the most encouraging scenario. The immense hardship of the recent period means the ethical argument for a settlement to the conflict is potentially more critical than ever. But even as the truce, the repatriation of the hostages and pledge by Hamas to “disarm” Gaza should be accepted as favorable developments, Mr Trump’s history provides scant basis to trust he will accomplish – or consider himself obligated to attempt. Immediate respite does not imply that the prospect of a Palestinian state has been advanced.