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T reprieve resulting from the end of fighting in Gaza is immense. In Israel, the liberation of the living hostages has sparked widespread elation. Throughout Gaza and the West Bank, celebrations are taking place as as many as 2,000 Palestinian detainees are being freed – although anguish remains due to doubt about which prisoners are returning and where they will be sent. Throughout Gaza's northern regions, civilians can at last reenter search the debris for the bodies of an approximated 10,000 missing people.

Peace Breakthrough Despite Prior Uncertainty

Only three weeks ago, the probability of a ceasefire appeared remote. But it has been implemented, and on Monday Donald Trump departed Jerusalem, where he was applauded in the Knesset, to Sharm el-Sheikh in Egypt. There, he attended a high-powered peace conference of in excess of 20 world leaders, among them Sir Keir Starmer. The diplomatic roadmap begun there is set to advance at a conference in the UK. The US president, working alongside international partners, managed to secure this deal happen – despite, not due to, Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Palestinian Statehood Hopes Tempered by Past Precedents

Aspirations that the deal signifies the first step toward Palestinian statehood are comprehensible – but, given past occurrences, somewhat optimistic. It lacks a transparent trajectory to sovereignty for Palestinians and risks dividing, for the foreseeable future, Gaza from the West Bank. Then there is the utter devastation this war has caused. The omission of any timeframe for Palestinian self-determination in the US initiative gives the lie to vainglorious mentions, in his Knesset speech, to the “epochal beginning” of a “age of abundance”.

The American leader could not help himself dividing and individualizing the deal in his speech.

In a time of relief – with the liberation of detainees, truce and restart of aid – he decided to reinterpret it as a morality play in which he exclusively reclaimed Israel’s honor after alleged treachery by previous American leaders Obama and Biden. Notwithstanding the Biden administration previously having undertaken a comparable agreement: a truce linked to humanitarian access and future political talks.

Genuine Autonomy Vital for Sustainable Agreement

A proposal that refuses one side genuine autonomy is incapable of delivering sustainable agreement. The ceasefire and humanitarian convoys are to be embraced. But this is not yet political progress. Without mechanisms securing Palestinian engagement and control over their own establishments, any deal risks perpetuating domination under the language of peace.

Aid Necessities and Recovery Hurdles

Gaza’s people crucially depend on humanitarian aid – and nutrition and medication must be the first priority. But rebuilding cannot wait. Among 60 million tonnes of rubble, Palestinians need help reconstructing homes, learning institutions, healthcare facilities, mosques and other organizations shattered by Israel’s invasion. For Gaza’s interim government to thrive, monetary resources must arrive promptly and safety deficiencies be addressed.

Similar to much of Mr Trump’s diplomatic proposal, allusions to an multinational security contingent and a suggested “diplomatic committee” are disturbingly unclear.

Worldwide Endorsement and Potential Developments

Strong international support for the Gaza's governing body, permitting it to replace Hamas, is perhaps the most hopeful scenario. The enormous suffering of the previous 24 months means the moral case for a settlement to the conflict is potentially more critical than ever. But while the ceasefire, the repatriation of the hostages and vow by Hamas to “disarm” Gaza should be accepted as positive steps, the president's record provides scant basis to believe he will accomplish – or consider himself obligated to attempt. Immediate respite should not be interpreted as that the prospect of a Palestinian state has been advanced.