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T reprieve brought by the end of fighting in Gaza is substantial. Within Israeli borders, the release of the living hostages has sparked broad celebration. Throughout Gaza and the West Bank, jubilations have commenced as as many as 2,000 Palestinian prisoners begin their release – though concern remains due to ambiguity about the identities of those released and where they will be sent. Across northern Gaza, residents can finally go back to dig through rubble for the bodies of an estimated 10,000 those who have disappeared.

Peace Breakthrough Despite Previous Doubts

Only three weeks ago, the likelihood of a ceasefire appeared remote. But it has come into force, and on Monday Donald Trump departed Jerusalem, where he was applauded in the Knesset, to Sharm el-Sheikh in Egypt. There, he participated in a high-level peace summit of more than 20 world leaders, among them Sir Keir Starmer. The plan for peace begun there is set to advance at a assembly in the UK. The US president, cooperating with international partners, successfully brokered this deal take place – regardless of, not because of, Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Palestinian Statehood Hopes Moderated by Previous Experiences

Aspirations that the deal represents the first step toward Palestinian statehood are comprehensible – but, considering previous instances, somewhat optimistic. It lacks a transparent trajectory to sovereignty for Palestinians and risks separating, for the near term, Gaza from the West Bank. Furthermore the complete destruction this war leaves behind. The omission of any timeframe for Palestinian autonomy in Mr Trump’s plan undermines boastful allusions, in his Knesset speech, to the “epochal beginning” of a “era of prosperity”.

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

In a period of ease – with the freeing of captives, halt in fighting and restart of aid – he decided to reinterpret it as a lesson in ethics in which he solely reclaimed Israel’s honor after supposed betrayal by past US commanders-in-chief Obama and Biden. This even as the Biden administration a year ago having undertaken a comparable agreement: a truce connected with relief entry and eventual diplomatic discussions.

Substantive Control Essential for Sustainable Agreement

A initiative that denies one side meaningful agency cannot produce authentic resolution. The ceasefire and aid trucks are to be welcomed. But this is not yet policy development. Without systems securing Palestinian engagement and command over their own organizations, any deal risks cementing domination under the discourse of peace.

Humanitarian Priorities and Reconstruction Challenges

Gaza’s people crucially depend on emergency support – and food and medicines must be the primary focus. But restoration must not be delayed. Within 60 million tonnes of rubble, Palestinians need assistance restoring residences, educational facilities, medical centers, religious buildings and other institutions destroyed by Israel’s incursion. For Gaza’s provisional leadership to succeed, funding must be disbursed rapidly and security gaps be addressed.

Similar to a great deal of Donald Trump's resolution initiative, allusions to an multinational security contingent and a proposed “peace council” are worryingly ambiguous.

International Support and Potential Developments

Robust international support for the Palestinian Authority, permitting it to take over from Hamas, is perhaps the most promising prospect. 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 homecoming of the captives and vow by Hamas to “demilitarise” Gaza should be recognized as constructive moves, Donald Trump's track record provides scant basis to trust he will deliver – or deem himself compelled to endeavor. Temporary ease does not mean that the likelihood of a Palestinian state has been moved nearer.