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The respite brought by the end of fighting in Gaza is immense. Across Israel, the liberation of the living hostages has led to widespread elation. In Gaza and the West Bank, festivities are taking place as up to 2,000 Palestinian prisoners are being freed – even as anguish remains due to uncertainty about the identities of those released and their destinations. Throughout Gaza's northern regions, residents can now go back to dig through rubble for the bodies of an approximated 10,000 unaccounted-for individuals.

Ceasefire Emergence Contrary to Previous Doubts

Just three weeks ago, the chance of a ceasefire appeared remote. Yet it has taken effect, and on Monday Donald Trump travelled from Jerusalem, where he was cheered in the Knesset, to Sharm el-Sheikh in Egypt. There, he joined a high-level peace summit of over 20 world leaders, including Sir Keir Starmer. The peace initiative initiated there is scheduled to proceed at a meeting in the UK. The US president, cooperating with international partners, successfully brokered this deal come to fruition – contrary to, not because of, Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Dreams of Independence Tempered by Previous Experiences

Hopes that the deal represents the initial move toward Palestinian statehood are comprehensible – but, considering previous instances, slightly idealistic. It offers no clear path to sovereignty for Palestinians and risks splitting, for the foreseeable future, Gaza from the West Bank. Additionally the utter devastation this war has caused. The omission of any timeframe for Palestinian self-governance in the presidential proposal contradicts boastful mentions, in his Knesset speech, to the “monumental start” of a “golden age”.

The American leader could not resist polarising and individualizing the deal in his speech.

In a time of ease – with the freeing of captives, truce and renewal of aid – he opted to reframe it as a ethical drama in which he solely restored Israel’s prestige after supposed treachery by previous American leaders Obama and Biden. Notwithstanding the Biden administration twelve months prior having undertaken a analogous arrangement: a ceasefire connected with aid delivery and ultimate diplomatic discussions.

Substantive Control Vital for Legitimate Peace

A proposal that denies one side substantive control cannot produce sustainable agreement. The halt in hostilities and relief shipments are to be welcomed. But this is still not policy development. Without mechanisms ensuring Palestinian involvement and command over their own organizations, any deal endangers cementing subjugation under the discourse of peace.

Humanitarian Priorities and Rebuilding Obstacles

Gaza’s people crucially depend on relief assistance – and nutrition and medication must be the initial concern. But rebuilding must not be delayed. Within 60 million tonnes of debris, Palestinians need support repairing homes, educational facilities, medical centers, religious buildings and other institutions shattered by Israel’s invasion. For Gaza’s interim government to thrive, funding must flow quickly and security gaps be filled.

Like a large portion of the president's diplomatic proposal, allusions to an multinational security contingent and a recommended “diplomatic committee” are worryingly ambiguous.

International Support and Future Prospects

Robust global backing for the Palestinian Authority, permitting it to succeed Hamas, is probably the most promising possibility. The enormous suffering of the previous 24 months means the moral case for a solution to the conflict is arguably more critical than ever. But while the truce, the repatriation of the hostages and pledge by Hamas to “demilitarise” Gaza should be accepted as positive steps, Donald Trump's record provides scant basis to trust he will fulfill – or deem himself compelled to try. Immediate respite should not be interpreted as that the prospect of a Palestinian state has been moved nearer.