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T relief resulting from the end of fighting in Gaza is immense. Across Israel, the liberation of captives held alive has led to broad celebration. Throughout Gaza and the West Bank, festivities have commenced as as many as 2,000 Palestinian prisoners start to be released – though concern lingers due to uncertainty about the identities of those released and where they will be sent. Across northern Gaza, people can finally return to sift through wreckage for the bodies of an estimated 10,000 those who have disappeared.

Ceasefire Emergence Contrary to Previous Doubts

As recently as three weeks ago, the likelihood of a ceasefire appeared remote. Yet it has come into force, and on Monday Donald Trump travelled from Jerusalem, where he was hailed in the Knesset, to Sharm el-Sheikh in Egypt. There, he joined a high-level peace conference of over 20 world leaders, among them Sir Keir Starmer. The plan for peace begun there is scheduled to proceed at a assembly in the UK. The US president, acting with international partners, did make this deal happen – despite, not owing to, Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Palestinian Statehood Hopes Moderated by Historical Realities

Aspirations that the deal marks the opening phase toward Palestinian statehood are reasonable – but, in light of historical precedent, slightly idealistic. It lacks a transparent trajectory to independence for Palestinians and threatens dividing, for the foreseeable future, Gaza from the West Bank. Then there is the total ruin this war has produced. The lack of any schedule for Palestinian autonomy in Mr Trump’s plan gives the lie to boastful allusions, in his Knesset speech, to the “monumental start” of a “era of prosperity”.

Donald Trump could not help himself dividing and personalising the deal in his speech.

In a moment of relief – with the hostage release, truce and restart of aid – he decided to reinterpret it as a ethical drama in which he solely restored Israel’s prestige after alleged betrayal by past US commanders-in-chief Obama and Biden. This despite the Biden administration previously having undertaken a analogous arrangement: a ceasefire connected with relief entry and ultimate political talks.

Genuine Autonomy Essential for Authentic Resolution

A initiative that refuses one side genuine autonomy is incapable of delivering authentic resolution. The halt in hostilities and aid trucks are to be embraced. But this is not yet policy development. Without mechanisms guaranteeing Palestinian engagement and command over their own organizations, any deal endangers freezing domination under the language of peace.

Relief Imperatives and Rebuilding Obstacles

Gaza’s people crucially depend on emergency support – and food and medicines must be the primary focus. But reconstruction must not be delayed. Amid 60 million tonnes of rubble, Palestinians need assistance reconstructing residences, learning institutions, healthcare facilities, places of worship and other organizations destroyed by Israel’s invasion. For Gaza’s transitional administration to succeed, financial support must arrive promptly and safety deficiencies be addressed.

Like a great deal of the president's peace plan, allusions to an international stabilisation force and a suggested “diplomatic committee” are disturbingly unclear.

Global Backing and Potential Developments

Substantial global backing for the Palestinian leadership, allowing it to take over from Hamas, is probably the most promising scenario. The immense hardship of the recent period means the ethical argument for a solution to the conflict is potentially more urgent than ever. But even as the ceasefire, the homecoming of the captives and commitment by Hamas to “demilitarise” Gaza should be accepted as favorable developments, Mr Trump’s track record provides scant basis to trust he will accomplish – or consider himself obligated to endeavor. Immediate respite does not imply that the possibility of a Palestinian state has been moved nearer.