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T relief resulting from the halt in hostilities in Gaza is immense. Across Israel, the liberation of surviving detainees has resulted in broad celebration. Throughout Gaza and the West Bank, celebrations are also underway as approximately 2,000 Palestinian inmates start to be released – though concern lingers due to ambiguity about the identities of those released and where they will be sent. Across northern Gaza, people can now return to sift through wreckage for the remains of an approximated 10,000 unaccounted-for individuals.

Truce Development Despite Previous Doubts

Only three weeks ago, the likelihood of a ceasefire looked improbable. But 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 attended a high-powered peace summit of over 20 world leaders, featuring Sir Keir Starmer. The plan for peace begun there is due to be continued at a conference in the UK. The US president, cooperating with international partners, successfully brokered this deal take place – despite, not due to, Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Dreams of Independence Moderated by Past Precedents

Expectations that the deal signifies the opening phase toward Palestinian statehood are understandable – but, considering previous instances, rather hopeful. It lacks a transparent trajectory to self-rule for Palestinians and risks dividing, for the foreseeable future, Gaza from the West Bank. Furthermore the complete destruction this war has produced. The lack of any timeframe for Palestinian autonomy in Mr Trump’s plan undermines self-aggrandizing references, in his Knesset speech, to the “epochal beginning” of a “era of prosperity”.

The US president could not help himself sowing division and personalising the deal in his speech.

In a period of ease – with the hostage release, ceasefire and renewal of aid – he opted to reframe it as a morality play in which he alone reclaimed Israel’s prestige after purported treachery by past US commanders-in-chief Obama and Biden. This even as the Biden administration a year ago having undertaken a comparable agreement: a ceasefire connected with relief entry and ultimate diplomatic discussions.

Genuine Autonomy Crucial for Legitimate Peace

A initiative that withholds one side genuine autonomy is incapable of delivering sustainable agreement. The halt in hostilities and humanitarian convoys are to be applauded. But this is not yet political progress. Without processes securing Palestinian engagement and authority over their own establishments, any deal threatens cementing oppression under the language of peace.

Aid Necessities and Recovery Hurdles

Gaza’s people desperately need humanitarian aid – and food and medicines must be the primary focus. But rebuilding must not be delayed. Amid 60 million tonnes of debris, Palestinians need help restoring dwellings, schools, healthcare facilities, places of worship and other organizations devastated by Israel’s incursion. For Gaza’s transitional administration to succeed, funding must arrive promptly and protection voids be addressed.

Similar to much of Donald Trump's resolution initiative, references to an multinational security contingent and a proposed “diplomatic committee” are alarmingly vague.

Worldwide Endorsement and Prospective Outcomes

Substantial global backing for the Palestinian Authority, permitting it to replace Hamas, is probably the most encouraging scenario. The enormous suffering of the previous 24 months means the moral case for a solution to the conflict is potentially more critical than ever. But even as the truce, the return of the hostages and commitment by Hamas to “remove weapons from” Gaza should be acknowledged as positive steps, Mr Trump’s track record offers minimal cause to believe he will deliver – or consider himself obligated to endeavor. Short-term relief does not imply that the possibility of a Palestinian state has been advanced.