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The respite brought by the end of fighting in Gaza is substantial. In Israel, the release of captives held alive has sparked broad celebration. Across Palestinian territories, celebrations are taking place as up to 2,000 Palestinian inmates begin their release – even as anguish persists due to doubt about the identities of those released and their destinations. In northern Gaza, residents can finally reenter dig through rubble for the bodies of an believed 10,000 unaccounted-for individuals.

Ceasefire Emergence Contrary to Previous Doubts

As recently as three weeks ago, the probability of a ceasefire looked improbable. Yet it has come into force, and on Monday Donald Trump departed Jerusalem, where he was applauded in the Knesset, to Sharm el-Sheikh in Egypt. There, he attended a high-powered peace conference of over 20 world leaders, among them Sir Keir Starmer. The diplomatic roadmap begun there is due to be continued at a assembly in the UK. The US president, acting with international partners, successfully brokered this deal come to fruition – regardless of, not because of, Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Palestinian Statehood Hopes Moderated by Previous Experiences

Expectations that the deal marks the first step toward Palestinian statehood are reasonable – but, considering past occurrences, somewhat optimistic. It lacks a transparent trajectory to sovereignty for Palestinians and endangers separating, for the foreseeable future, Gaza from the West Bank. Then there is the complete destruction this war has produced. The omission of any timeline for Palestinian autonomy in Mr Trump’s plan gives the lie to self-aggrandizing mentions, in his Knesset speech, to the “historic dawn” of a “era of prosperity”.

Donald Trump could not resist dividing and individualizing the deal in his speech.

In a moment of ease – with the hostage release, halt in fighting and restart of aid – he opted to reframe it as a morality play in which he exclusively reinstated Israel’s honor after purported treachery by previous American leaders Obama and Biden. This even as the Biden administration a year ago having attempted a analogous arrangement: a cessation of hostilities linked to humanitarian access and ultimate negotiations.

Substantive Control Crucial for Legitimate Peace

A initiative that refuses one side meaningful agency cannot yield authentic resolution. The truce and relief shipments are to be embraced. But this is not currently diplomatic advancement. Without processes guaranteeing Palestinian involvement and authority over their own establishments, any deal threatens cementing subjugation under the rhetoric of peace.

Aid Necessities and Rebuilding Obstacles

Gaza’s people desperately need humanitarian aid – and nutrition and medication must be the initial concern. But reconstruction must not be delayed. Amid 60 million tonnes of rubble, Palestinians need help reconstructing dwellings, schools, healthcare facilities, places of worship and other establishments devastated by Israel’s incursion. For Gaza’s provisional leadership to thrive, monetary resources must be disbursed rapidly and safety deficiencies be remedied.

Like much of Donald Trump's peace plan, allusions to an international stabilisation force and a suggested “peace council” are disturbingly unclear.

Global Backing and Potential Developments

Robust global backing for the Palestinian leadership, allowing it to replace Hamas, is perhaps the most encouraging scenario. The immense hardship of the previous 24 months means the ethical argument for a resolution to the conflict is potentially more urgent than ever. But while the ceasefire, the homecoming of the detainees and pledge by Hamas to “remove weapons from” Gaza should be accepted as constructive moves, Mr Trump’s track record provides scant basis to have faith he will deliver – or deem himself compelled to try. Short-term relief should not be interpreted as that the possibility of a Palestinian state has been brought closer.