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T relief brought by the ceasefire in Gaza is substantial. Within Israeli borders, the liberation of the living hostages has resulted in widespread elation. Across Palestinian territories, festivities have commenced as as many as 2,000 Palestinian inmates start to be released – though concern persists due to doubt about which prisoners are returning and their eventual placements. Across northern Gaza, residents can now reenter search the debris for the remains of an estimated 10,000 unaccounted-for individuals.

Truce Development Contrary to Prior Uncertainty

Only three weeks ago, the probability of a ceasefire seemed unlikely. But it has been implemented, and on Monday Donald Trump departed Jerusalem, where he was hailed in the Knesset, to Sharm el-Sheikh in Egypt. There, he attended a high-powered peace summit of in excess of 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, did make this deal come to fruition – regardless of, not owing to, Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Aspirations for Sovereignty Moderated by Past Precedents

Hopes that the deal marks the initial move toward Palestinian statehood are comprehensible – but, considering historical precedent, rather hopeful. It provides no definite route to independence for Palestinians and endangers separating, for the foreseeable future, Gaza from the West Bank. Furthermore the complete destruction this war has caused. The lack of any timeframe for Palestinian autonomy in the US initiative contradicts vainglorious allusions, in his Knesset speech, to the “historic dawn” of a “era of prosperity”.

Donald Trump was unable to refrain from polarising and personalising the deal in his speech.

In a period of relief – with the freeing of captives, ceasefire and renewal of aid – he chose to recast it as a ethical drama in which he exclusively reinstated Israel’s honor after supposed disloyalty by past US commanders-in-chief Obama and Biden. This even as the Biden administration a year ago having attempted a similar deal: a truce linked to aid delivery and ultimate political talks.

Substantive Control Vital for Sustainable Agreement

A initiative that denies one side meaningful agency cannot produce legitimate peace. The halt in hostilities and aid trucks are to be welcomed. But this is still not policy development. Without processes ensuring Palestinian participation and control over their own establishments, any deal risks cementing oppression under the language of peace.

Humanitarian Priorities and Recovery Hurdles

Gaza’s people crucially depend on emergency support – and nutrition and medication must be the primary focus. But rebuilding must not be delayed. Among 60 million tonnes of rubble, Palestinians need assistance restoring homes, schools, hospitals, mosques and other organizations shattered by Israel’s incursion. For Gaza’s transitional administration to succeed, financial support must flow quickly and safety deficiencies be filled.

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

Global Backing and Potential Developments

Substantial international support for the Gaza's governing body, enabling it to take over from Hamas, is probably the most promising prospect. The enormous suffering of the past two years means the ethical argument for a settlement to the conflict is arguably more urgent than ever. But while the ceasefire, the return of the captives and commitment by Hamas to “remove weapons from” Gaza should be acknowledged as favorable developments, Donald Trump's history offers minimal cause to have faith he will fulfill – or feel bound to attempt. Short-term relief does not mean that the prospect of a Palestinian state has been advanced.