🔗 Share this article

The respite following the end of fighting in Gaza is profound. In Israel, the liberation of captives held alive has sparked extensive joy. In Gaza and the West Bank, celebrations have commenced as up to 2,000 Palestinian inmates start to be released – even as distress remains due to doubt about the identities of those released and their destinations. Across northern Gaza, people can now go back to sift through wreckage for the remains of an approximated 10,000 missing people.

Ceasefire Emergence Despite Prior Uncertainty

Just three weeks ago, the chance of a ceasefire appeared remote. Yet it has been implemented, 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 prestigious peace conference of in excess of 20 world leaders, among them Sir Keir Starmer. The diplomatic roadmap launched at that summit is set to advance at a meeting in the UK. The US president, cooperating with international partners, successfully brokered this deal take place – contrary to, not because of, Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Dreams of Independence Moderated by Previous Experiences

Aspirations that the deal signifies the first step toward Palestinian statehood are comprehensible – but, considering historical precedent, somewhat optimistic. It provides no definite route to independence for Palestinians and risks splitting, for the immediate period, Gaza from the West Bank. Furthermore the total ruin this war has produced. The lack of any schedule for Palestinian self-determination in the presidential proposal undermines boastful mentions, in his Knesset speech, to the “historic dawn” of a “era of prosperity”.

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

In a period of relief – with the freeing of captives, ceasefire and resumption of aid – he opted to reframe it as a morality play in which he alone reinstated Israel’s honor after purported treachery by former US presidents Obama and Biden. This even as the Biden administration previously having attempted a comparable agreement: a ceasefire tied to humanitarian access and future political talks.

Meaningful Agency Crucial for Sustainable Agreement

A plan that withholds one side genuine autonomy is incapable of delivering authentic resolution. The truce and relief shipments are to be embraced. But this is still not policy development. Without systems securing Palestinian involvement and control over their own establishments, any deal risks cementing oppression under the rhetoric of peace.

Humanitarian Priorities and Reconstruction Challenges

Gaza’s people urgently require humanitarian aid – and food and medicines must be the initial concern. But reconstruction should not be postponed. Among 60 million tonnes of debris, Palestinians need support restoring homes, educational facilities, medical centers, places of worship and other establishments shattered by Israel’s incursion. For Gaza’s provisional leadership to prosper, financial support must flow quickly and security gaps be addressed.

Similar to much of the president's resolution initiative, mentions to an global peacekeeping unit and a suggested “peace council” are worryingly ambiguous.

Global Backing and Potential Developments

Robust worldwide endorsement for the Gaza's governing body, permitting it to take over from Hamas, is probably the most promising prospect. The immense hardship of the past two years means the ethical argument for a settlement to the conflict is arguably more urgent than ever. But while the halt in fighting, the homecoming of the hostages and pledge by Hamas to “remove weapons from” Gaza should be accepted as favorable developments, the president's history offers minimal cause to believe he will deliver – or deem himself compelled to try. Immediate respite should not be interpreted as that the likelihood of a Palestinian state has been moved nearer.