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The relief resulting from the end of fighting in Gaza is profound. In Israel, the liberation of the living hostages has led to broad celebration. In Gaza and the West Bank, festivities have commenced as as many as 2,000 Palestinian inmates start to be released – although anguish lingers due to doubt about who is being freed and where they will be sent. In northern Gaza, civilians can finally go back to dig through rubble for the remains of an believed 10,000 unaccounted-for individuals.

Peace Breakthrough Contrary to Previous Doubts

Just three weeks ago, the chance of a ceasefire seemed unlikely. Yet it has taken effect, and on Monday Donald Trump journeyed from Jerusalem, where he was applauded in the Knesset, to Sharm el-Sheikh in Egypt. There, he attended a prestigious peace conference of over 20 world leaders, including 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 come to fruition – despite, not due to, Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Palestinian Statehood Hopes Moderated by Past Precedents

Aspirations that the deal signifies the opening phase toward Palestinian statehood are comprehensible – but, considering previous instances, rather hopeful. It offers no clear path to self-rule for Palestinians and endangers dividing, for the foreseeable future, Gaza from the West Bank. Additionally the total ruin this war has produced. The absence of any timeline for Palestinian self-governance in the presidential proposal gives the lie to self-aggrandizing mentions, in his Knesset speech, to the “monumental start” of a “age of abundance”.

Donald Trump was unable to refrain from sowing division and making personal the deal in his speech.

In a time of ease – with the hostage release, truce and resumption of aid – he chose to recast it as a lesson in ethics in which he alone reclaimed Israel’s prestige after purported treachery by former US presidents Obama and Biden. This despite the Biden administration previously having tried a comparable agreement: a ceasefire linked to aid delivery and future negotiations.

Genuine Autonomy Crucial for Authentic Resolution

A initiative that refuses one side substantive control is incapable of delivering authentic resolution. The truce and humanitarian convoys are to be welcomed. But this is not yet policy development. Without mechanisms ensuring Palestinian involvement and authority over their own organizations, any deal endangers cementing oppression under the rhetoric of peace.

Relief Imperatives and Reconstruction Challenges

Gaza’s people desperately need humanitarian aid – and sustenance and pharmaceuticals must be the initial concern. But rebuilding cannot wait. Within 60 million tonnes of wreckage, Palestinians need help repairing homes, schools, medical centers, religious buildings and other institutions shattered by Israel’s military operation. For Gaza’s provisional leadership to succeed, funding must flow quickly and safety deficiencies be filled.

Like much of Donald Trump's peace plan, allusions to an multinational security contingent and a recommended “peace council” are worryingly ambiguous.

Worldwide Endorsement and Potential Developments

Strong global backing for the Palestinian Authority, permitting it to take over from Hamas, is probably the most encouraging possibility. The tremendous pain of the recent period means the ethical argument for a settlement to the conflict is arguably more urgent than ever. But although the halt in fighting, the return of the detainees and commitment by Hamas to “demilitarise” Gaza should be acknowledged as constructive moves, the president's record provides scant basis to have faith he will deliver – or deem himself compelled to attempt. Short-term relief does not mean that the possibility of a Palestinian state has been brought closer.