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The respite brought by the halt in hostilities in Gaza is immense. In Israel, the release of the living hostages has sparked broad celebration. Across Palestinian territories, celebrations are also underway as approximately 2,000 Palestinian prisoners begin their release – even as anguish lingers due to uncertainty about which prisoners are returning and their destinations. In northern Gaza, civilians can now reenter dig through rubble for the remains of an approximated 10,000 those who have disappeared.

Peace Breakthrough Against Earlier Odds

Just three weeks ago, the probability of a ceasefire seemed unlikely. Yet it has come into force, and on Monday Donald Trump departed Jerusalem, where he was cheered in the Knesset, to Sharm el-Sheikh in Egypt. There, he attended a high-level diplomatic gathering of in excess of 20 world leaders, among them Sir Keir Starmer. The plan for peace launched at that summit is due to be continued at a conference in the UK. The US president, cooperating with international partners, successfully brokered this deal happen – despite, not because of, Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Aspirations for Sovereignty Qualified by Previous Experiences

Hopes that the deal represents the initial move toward Palestinian statehood are comprehensible – but, considering previous instances, slightly idealistic. It lacks a transparent trajectory to self-rule for Palestinians and risks splitting, for the foreseeable future, Gaza from the West Bank. Then there is the complete destruction this war leaves behind. The omission of any schedule for Palestinian self-governance in the presidential proposal gives the lie to boastful allusions, in his Knesset speech, to the “epochal beginning” of a “era of prosperity”.

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

In a period of relief – with the freeing of captives, halt in fighting and renewal of aid – he opted to reframe it as a ethical drama in which he exclusively reinstated Israel’s dignity after alleged betrayal by past US commanders-in-chief Obama and Biden. This despite the Biden administration twelve months prior having tried a similar deal: a cessation of hostilities connected with relief entry and ultimate diplomatic discussions.

Meaningful Agency Vital for Legitimate Peace

A initiative that refuses one side substantive control cannot produce authentic resolution. The halt in hostilities and aid trucks are to be welcomed. But this is not currently diplomatic advancement. Without systems guaranteeing Palestinian participation and control over their own establishments, any deal endangers perpetuating oppression under the language of peace.

Relief Imperatives and Reconstruction Challenges

Gaza’s people urgently require emergency support – and nutrition and medication must be the first priority. But restoration cannot wait. Within 60 million tonnes of rubble, Palestinians need assistance reconstructing homes, educational facilities, healthcare facilities, places of worship and other organizations destroyed by Israel’s incursion. For Gaza’s transitional administration to prosper, monetary resources must be disbursed rapidly and security gaps be remedied.

Like a large portion of Donald Trump's resolution initiative, mentions to an international stabilisation force and a proposed “board of peace” are worryingly ambiguous.

International Support and Future Prospects

Strong global backing for the Gaza's governing body, enabling it to take over from Hamas, is probably the most hopeful scenario. The immense hardship of the previous 24 months means the ethical argument for a resolution to the conflict is potentially more urgent than ever. But although the ceasefire, the homecoming of the hostages and pledge by Hamas to “disarm” Gaza should be recognized as constructive moves, the president's history gives little reason to have faith he will accomplish – or deem himself compelled to try. Immediate respite should not be interpreted as that the prospect of a Palestinian state has been moved nearer.