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The respite brought by the end of fighting in Gaza is substantial. Within Israeli borders, the liberation of surviving detainees has sparked broad celebration. Across Palestinian territories, jubilations have commenced as as many as 2,000 Palestinian detainees are being freed – though distress remains due to uncertainty about the identities of those released and their eventual placements. Throughout Gaza's northern regions, people can finally go back to dig through rubble for the bodies of an estimated 10,000 unaccounted-for individuals.

Ceasefire Emergence Contrary to Prior Uncertainty

As recently as three weeks ago, the chance of a ceasefire looked improbable. However it has come into force, and on Monday Donald Trump journeyed from Jerusalem, where he was cheered in the Knesset, to Sharm el-Sheikh in Egypt. There, he participated in a high-powered diplomatic gathering of more than 20 world leaders, including Sir Keir Starmer. The peace initiative initiated there is scheduled to proceed at a conference in the UK. The US president, acting with international partners, did make this deal come to fruition – contrary to, not because of, Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Palestinian Statehood Hopes Tempered by Historical Realities

Expectations that the deal signifies the opening phase toward Palestinian statehood are understandable – but, given previous instances, rather hopeful. It lacks a transparent trajectory to independence for Palestinians and threatens separating, for the foreseeable future, Gaza from the West Bank. Then there is the total ruin this war has caused. The lack of any schedule for Palestinian autonomy in the US initiative gives the lie to vainglorious references, in his Knesset speech, to the “monumental start” of a “golden age”.

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

In a moment of relief – with the hostage release, ceasefire and resumption of aid – he opted to reframe it as a lesson in ethics in which he solely reinstated Israel’s dignity after alleged treachery by previous American leaders Obama and Biden. This even as the Biden administration a year ago having attempted a analogous arrangement: a ceasefire linked to aid delivery and eventual negotiations.

Substantive Control Essential for Authentic Resolution

A initiative that withholds one side meaningful agency cannot produce legitimate peace. The truce and relief shipments are to be applauded. But this is still not political progress. Without mechanisms guaranteeing Palestinian involvement and control over their own organizations, any deal risks cementing subjugation under the discourse of peace.

Humanitarian Priorities and Reconstruction Challenges

Gaza’s people urgently require emergency support – and nutrition and medication must be the initial concern. But reconstruction should not be postponed. Amid 60 million tonnes of wreckage, Palestinians need help reconstructing dwellings, learning institutions, healthcare facilities, religious buildings and other organizations devastated by Israel’s military operation. For Gaza’s interim government to succeed, funding must be disbursed rapidly and safety deficiencies be remedied.

Comparable with a large portion of Mr Trump’s diplomatic proposal, allusions to an international stabilisation force and a proposed “diplomatic committee” are worryingly ambiguous.

Worldwide Endorsement and Prospective Outcomes

Robust international support for the Gaza's governing body, permitting it to take over from Hamas, is perhaps the most hopeful scenario. The tremendous pain of the past two years means the ethical argument for a settlement to the conflict is potentially more urgent than ever. But although the halt in fighting, the homecoming of the detainees and pledge by Hamas to “disarm” Gaza should be accepted as positive steps, Mr Trump’s history offers minimal cause to believe he will deliver – or consider himself obligated to try. Immediate respite does not mean that the likelihood of a Palestinian state has been moved nearer.