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The respite following the halt in hostilities in Gaza is substantial. Within Israeli borders, the release of surviving detainees has led to extensive joy. Throughout Gaza and the West Bank, jubilations are also underway as approximately 2,000 Palestinian inmates begin their release – although concern lingers due to ambiguity about which prisoners are returning and where they will be sent. Throughout Gaza's northern regions, civilians can finally go back to sift through wreckage for the remains of an approximated 10,000 missing people.

Ceasefire Emergence Despite Prior Uncertainty

Just three weeks ago, the probability of a ceasefire looked improbable. Yet 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 prestigious diplomatic gathering of in excess of 20 world leaders, among them Sir Keir Starmer. The peace initiative begun there is due to be continued at a meeting in the UK. The US president, cooperating with international partners, managed to secure this deal take place – contrary to, not due to, Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Aspirations for Sovereignty Tempered by Historical Realities

Aspirations that the deal represents the first step toward Palestinian statehood are reasonable – but, in light of historical precedent, slightly idealistic. It provides no definite route to independence for Palestinians and threatens separating, for the immediate period, Gaza from the West Bank. Then there is the total ruin this war has caused. The lack of any timeline for Palestinian self-governance in the US initiative gives the lie to self-aggrandizing mentions, in his Knesset speech, to the “monumental start” of a “age of abundance”.

Donald Trump could not help himself sowing division and making personal the deal in his speech.

In a moment of ease – with the liberation of detainees, ceasefire and renewal of aid – he opted to reframe it as a morality play in which he exclusively restored Israel’s dignity after purported disloyalty by previous American leaders Obama and Biden. This even as the Biden administration a year ago having tried a similar deal: a cessation of hostilities linked to humanitarian access and eventual negotiations.

Genuine Autonomy Vital for Sustainable Agreement

A plan that refuses one side substantive control cannot yield legitimate peace. The ceasefire and relief shipments are to be applauded. But this is not yet policy development. Without processes securing Palestinian engagement and command over their own organizations, any deal endangers perpetuating oppression under the language of peace.

Relief Imperatives and Reconstruction Challenges

Gaza’s people desperately need relief assistance – and nutrition and medication must be the initial concern. But reconstruction should not be postponed. Amid 60 million tonnes of debris, Palestinians need assistance restoring homes, schools, medical centers, places of worship and other organizations destroyed by Israel’s incursion. For Gaza’s interim government to prosper, financial support must flow quickly and security gaps be remedied.

Comparable with much of the president's diplomatic proposal, allusions to an global peacekeeping unit and a suggested “diplomatic committee” are disturbingly unclear.

Worldwide Endorsement and Potential Developments

Strong global backing for the Palestinian Authority, permitting it to take over from Hamas, is perhaps the most hopeful scenario. The enormous suffering of the previous 24 months means the moral case for a solution to the conflict is arguably more urgent than ever. But although the ceasefire, the repatriation of the captives and commitment by Hamas to “disarm” Gaza should be acknowledged as constructive moves, Donald Trump's history gives little reason to have faith he will accomplish – or deem himself compelled to endeavor. Temporary ease does not imply that the prospect of a Palestinian state has been brought closer.