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The respite brought by the end of fighting in Gaza is substantial. In Israel, the liberation of captives held alive has led to extensive joy. Throughout Gaza and the West Bank, jubilations have commenced as up to 2,000 Palestinian prisoners start to be released – although distress remains due to uncertainty about which prisoners are returning and their eventual placements. Throughout Gaza's northern regions, civilians can finally return to dig through rubble for the remnants of an approximated 10,000 unaccounted-for individuals.

Truce Development Despite Previous Doubts

Only three weeks ago, the chance of a ceasefire looked improbable. Yet it has been implemented, and on Monday Donald Trump travelled from Jerusalem, where he was applauded in the Knesset, to Sharm el-Sheikh in Egypt. There, he attended a prestigious diplomatic gathering of over 20 world leaders, among them Sir Keir Starmer. The plan for peace launched at that summit is due to be continued at a meeting in the UK. The US president, cooperating with international partners, did make this deal take place – despite, not owing to, Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Dreams of Independence Qualified by Past Precedents

Expectations that the deal represents the initial move toward Palestinian statehood are comprehensible – but, given previous instances, somewhat optimistic. It provides no definite route to independence for Palestinians and risks splitting, for the foreseeable future, Gaza from the West Bank. Additionally the utter devastation this war has produced. The omission of any timeframe for Palestinian autonomy in the presidential proposal undermines vainglorious allusions, in his Knesset speech, to the “monumental start” of a “age of abundance”.

The American leader was unable to refrain from sowing division and individualizing the deal in his speech.

In a moment of relief – with the liberation of detainees, truce and resumption of aid – he opted to reframe it as a lesson in ethics in which he exclusively restored Israel’s honor after purported betrayal by past US commanders-in-chief Obama and Biden. This even as the Biden administration previously having tried a similar deal: a ceasefire linked to relief entry and eventual negotiations.

Meaningful Agency Vital for Legitimate Peace

A initiative that denies one side substantive control is incapable of delivering sustainable agreement. The halt in hostilities and humanitarian convoys are to be applauded. But this is not currently diplomatic advancement. Without processes ensuring Palestinian engagement and command over their own establishments, any deal risks freezing domination under the rhetoric of peace.

Relief Imperatives and Rebuilding Obstacles

Gaza’s people urgently require relief assistance – and nutrition and medication must be the primary focus. But reconstruction must not be delayed. Among 60 million tonnes of rubble, Palestinians need assistance repairing homes, educational facilities, medical centers, mosques and other organizations destroyed by Israel’s invasion. For Gaza’s transitional administration to succeed, funding must be disbursed rapidly and protection voids be remedied.

Like much of the president's peace plan, allusions to an global peacekeeping unit and a recommended “diplomatic committee” are worryingly ambiguous.

Global Backing and Potential Developments

Strong international support for the Gaza's governing body, permitting it to replace Hamas, is perhaps the most encouraging prospect. The tremendous pain of the recent period means the ethical argument for a settlement to the conflict is potentially more pressing than ever. But while the ceasefire, the homecoming of the detainees and pledge by Hamas to “demilitarise” Gaza should be accepted as favorable developments, Donald Trump's track record offers minimal cause to have faith he will accomplish – or consider himself obligated to endeavor. Temporary ease should not be interpreted as that the prospect of a Palestinian state has been brought closer.