🔗 Share this article

The respite following the end of fighting in Gaza is substantial. In Israel, the freeing of surviving detainees has sparked extensive joy. Throughout Gaza and the West Bank, festivities have commenced as as many as 2,000 Palestinian detainees start to be released – even as distress persists due to uncertainty about who is being freed and their destinations. Across northern Gaza, civilians can now return to search the debris for the bodies of an estimated 10,000 unaccounted-for individuals.

Peace Breakthrough Despite Prior Uncertainty

Just three weeks ago, the chance of a ceasefire looked improbable. Yet it has taken effect, and on Monday Donald Trump journeyed from Jerusalem, where he was hailed in the Knesset, to Sharm el-Sheikh in Egypt. There, he joined a high-level peace conference of more than 20 world leaders, featuring Sir Keir Starmer. The peace initiative initiated there is scheduled to proceed at a meeting in the UK. The US president, acting with international partners, managed to secure this deal take place – regardless of, not because of, Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Palestinian Statehood Hopes Moderated by Previous Experiences

Hopes that the deal signifies the opening phase toward Palestinian statehood are reasonable – but, considering historical precedent, somewhat optimistic. It provides no definite route to sovereignty for Palestinians and threatens separating, for the foreseeable future, Gaza from the West Bank. Additionally the total ruin this war has produced. The absence of any timeframe for Palestinian autonomy in the US initiative gives the lie to boastful mentions, in his Knesset speech, to the “historic dawn” of a “golden age”.

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

In a moment of ease – with the freeing of captives, ceasefire and resumption of aid – he decided to reinterpret it as a morality play in which he exclusively reinstated Israel’s dignity after alleged betrayal by previous American leaders Obama and Biden. Notwithstanding the Biden administration previously having undertaken a analogous arrangement: a ceasefire tied to humanitarian access and eventual political talks.

Genuine Autonomy Vital for Legitimate Peace

A proposal that withholds one side meaningful agency cannot yield authentic resolution. The truce and humanitarian convoys are to be embraced. But this is not currently policy development. Without mechanisms securing Palestinian engagement and authority over their own establishments, any deal endangers perpetuating oppression under the rhetoric of peace.

Relief Imperatives and Reconstruction Challenges

Gaza’s people desperately need humanitarian aid – and food and medicines must be the initial concern. But rebuilding cannot wait. Within 60 million tonnes of debris, Palestinians need help restoring homes, schools, healthcare facilities, mosques and other institutions devastated by Israel’s incursion. For Gaza’s transitional administration to succeed, monetary resources must flow quickly and security gaps be addressed.

Similar to a large portion of Mr Trump’s diplomatic proposal, mentions to an global peacekeeping unit and a suggested “peace council” are worryingly ambiguous.

Worldwide Endorsement and Prospective Outcomes

Substantial global backing for the Gaza's governing body, allowing it to take over from Hamas, is likely the most promising prospect. The enormous suffering of the previous 24 months means the ethical argument for a resolution to the conflict is potentially more urgent than ever. But while the truce, the homecoming of the detainees and vow by Hamas to “disarm” Gaza should be recognized as favorable developments, Donald Trump's record gives little reason to trust he will fulfill – or feel bound to endeavor. Immediate respite does not imply that the likelihood of a Palestinian state has been moved nearer.