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T respite resulting from the halt in hostilities in Gaza is substantial. In Israel, the freeing of surviving detainees has sparked extensive joy. Across Palestinian territories, celebrations are taking place as approximately 2,000 Palestinian prisoners begin their release – even as concern lingers due to doubt about which prisoners are returning and where they will be sent. Across northern Gaza, civilians can finally return to dig through rubble for the bodies of an believed 10,000 missing people.

Ceasefire Emergence Despite Previous Doubts

Just three weeks ago, the chance of a ceasefire appeared remote. However it has come into force, and on Monday Donald Trump departed Jerusalem, where he was applauded in the Knesset, to Sharm el-Sheikh in Egypt. There, he participated in a high-level diplomatic gathering of in excess of 20 world leaders, among them Sir Keir Starmer. The diplomatic roadmap launched at that summit is scheduled to proceed at a assembly in the UK. The US president, working alongside international partners, successfully brokered this deal come to fruition – regardless of, not due to, Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Palestinian Statehood Hopes Qualified by Past Precedents

Expectations that the deal signifies the initial move toward Palestinian statehood are comprehensible – but, in light of historical precedent, rather hopeful. It provides no definite route to independence for Palestinians and risks splitting, for the foreseeable future, Gaza from the West Bank. Then there is the complete destruction this war has produced. The absence of any timeline for Palestinian self-determination in Mr Trump’s plan gives the lie to boastful references, in his Knesset speech, to the “monumental start” of a “age of abundance”.

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

In a period of respite – with the liberation of detainees, truce and resumption of aid – he decided to reinterpret it as a morality play in which he solely reclaimed Israel’s dignity after purported disloyalty by previous American leaders Obama and Biden. Notwithstanding the Biden administration previously having undertaken a comparable agreement: a ceasefire linked to relief entry and future political talks.

Genuine Autonomy Vital for Sustainable Agreement

A initiative that withholds one side genuine autonomy is incapable of delivering sustainable agreement. The halt in hostilities and aid trucks are to be welcomed. But this is not yet policy development. Without processes securing Palestinian participation and control over their own institutions, any deal threatens freezing subjugation under the rhetoric of peace.

Humanitarian Priorities and Reconstruction Challenges

Gaza’s people desperately need emergency support – and sustenance and pharmaceuticals must be the first priority. But restoration cannot wait. Amid 60 million tonnes of debris, Palestinians need support reconstructing homes, schools, healthcare facilities, places of worship and other institutions shattered by Israel’s incursion. For Gaza’s provisional leadership to thrive, monetary resources must be disbursed rapidly and protection voids be addressed.

Like a large portion of Donald Trump's resolution initiative, references to an global peacekeeping unit and a suggested “diplomatic committee” are alarmingly vague.

Worldwide Endorsement and Future Prospects

Strong global backing for the Palestinian Authority, enabling it to replace Hamas, is probably the most encouraging prospect. The enormous suffering of the past two years means the ethical argument for a solution to the conflict is possibly more critical than ever. But although the halt in fighting, the homecoming of the captives and vow by Hamas to “remove weapons from” Gaza should be acknowledged as favorable developments, Mr Trump’s history provides scant basis to believe he will accomplish – or consider himself obligated to try. Short-term relief does not imply that the likelihood of a Palestinian state has been moved nearer.