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The respite following the end of fighting in Gaza is immense. In Israel, the release of surviving detainees has resulted in broad celebration. Throughout Gaza and the West Bank, festivities are also underway as approximately 2,000 Palestinian inmates are being freed – although distress lingers due to doubt about which prisoners are returning and their eventual placements. Across northern Gaza, civilians can finally go back to search the debris for the remnants of an believed 10,000 those who have disappeared.

Truce Development Contrary to Earlier Odds

Only three weeks ago, the likelihood of a ceasefire looked improbable. But it has been implemented, and on Monday Donald Trump travelled from Jerusalem, where he was cheered in the Knesset, to Sharm el-Sheikh in Egypt. There, he attended a high-powered peace summit of over 20 world leaders, among them Sir Keir Starmer. The peace initiative begun there is due to be continued at a assembly in the UK. The US president, acting with international partners, managed to secure this deal take place – contrary to, not because of, Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Dreams of Independence Tempered by Historical Realities

Hopes that the deal represents the first step toward Palestinian statehood are comprehensible – but, given past occurrences, slightly idealistic. It offers no clear path to self-rule for Palestinians and risks separating, for the foreseeable future, Gaza from the West Bank. Additionally the complete destruction this war has caused. The lack of any timeframe for Palestinian self-determination in Mr Trump’s plan contradicts self-aggrandizing allusions, in his Knesset speech, to the “monumental start” of a “golden age”.

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

In a period of ease – with the liberation of detainees, truce and restart of aid – he chose to recast it as a morality play in which he exclusively restored Israel’s prestige after alleged treachery by former US presidents Obama and Biden. Notwithstanding the Biden administration previously having tried a similar deal: a cessation of hostilities tied to aid delivery and eventual negotiations.

Genuine Autonomy Vital for Authentic Resolution

A plan that refuses one side genuine autonomy cannot produce legitimate peace. The truce and humanitarian convoys are to be applauded. But this is not yet policy development. Without mechanisms guaranteeing Palestinian engagement and authority over their own establishments, any deal risks cementing domination under the rhetoric of peace.

Aid Necessities and Rebuilding Obstacles

Gaza’s people crucially depend on humanitarian aid – and nutrition and medication must be the primary focus. But rebuilding should not be postponed. Within 60 million tonnes of wreckage, Palestinians need help reconstructing residences, educational facilities, healthcare facilities, mosques and other organizations destroyed by Israel’s military operation. For Gaza’s provisional leadership to thrive, monetary resources must flow quickly and protection voids be remedied.

Similar to a great deal of Donald Trump's peace plan, mentions to an global peacekeeping unit and a proposed “peace council” are worryingly ambiguous.

Global Backing and Potential Developments

Substantial international support for the Palestinian leadership, enabling it to replace Hamas, is probably the most hopeful prospect. The enormous suffering of the past two years means the moral case for a settlement to the conflict is possibly more pressing than ever. But while the halt in fighting, the homecoming of the detainees and commitment by Hamas to “remove weapons from” Gaza should be acknowledged as positive steps, Donald Trump's track record offers minimal cause to have faith he will fulfill – or feel bound to endeavor. Short-term relief should not be interpreted as that the prospect of a Palestinian state has been advanced.