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T respite resulting from the halt in hostilities in Gaza is substantial. In Israel, the liberation of captives held alive has sparked widespread elation. Throughout Gaza and the West Bank, festivities are also underway as as many as 2,000 Palestinian prisoners are being freed – although anguish remains due to ambiguity about the identities of those released and their eventual placements. Across northern Gaza, civilians can finally go back to sift through wreckage for the remnants of an approximated 10,000 those who have disappeared.

Truce Development Contrary to Earlier Odds

Just three weeks ago, the likelihood of a ceasefire appeared remote. Yet it has been implemented, and on Monday Donald Trump departed Jerusalem, where he was applauded in the Knesset, to Sharm el-Sheikh in Egypt. There, he attended a prestigious diplomatic gathering of more than 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, acting with international partners, managed to secure this deal come to fruition – despite, not because of, Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Aspirations for Sovereignty Tempered by Past Precedents

Expectations that the deal represents the first step toward Palestinian statehood are reasonable – but, given previous instances, rather hopeful. It lacks a transparent trajectory to self-rule for Palestinians and endangers dividing, for the near term, Gaza from the West Bank. Additionally the complete destruction this war has caused. The lack of any timeline for Palestinian self-determination in the US initiative undermines self-aggrandizing mentions, in his Knesset speech, to the “monumental start” of a “era of prosperity”.

The American leader could not help himself dividing and making personal the deal in his speech.

In a time of relief – with the freeing of captives, halt in fighting and restart of aid – he opted to reframe it as a ethical drama in which he exclusively reclaimed Israel’s prestige after purported treachery by former US presidents Obama and Biden. This despite the Biden administration a year ago having undertaken a similar deal: a ceasefire connected with humanitarian access and ultimate negotiations.

Genuine Autonomy Essential for Authentic Resolution

A initiative that refuses one side genuine autonomy cannot produce authentic resolution. The ceasefire and aid trucks are to be welcomed. But this is not currently policy development. Without processes securing Palestinian participation and authority over their own establishments, any deal endangers perpetuating oppression under the language of peace.

Aid Necessities and Rebuilding Obstacles

Gaza’s people desperately need humanitarian aid – and sustenance and pharmaceuticals must be the initial concern. But rebuilding cannot wait. Within 60 million tonnes of wreckage, Palestinians need help repairing residences, learning institutions, hospitals, mosques and other organizations devastated by Israel’s incursion. For Gaza’s interim government to thrive, funding must be disbursed rapidly and safety deficiencies be addressed.

Similar to a large portion of Mr Trump’s resolution initiative, allusions to an multinational security contingent and a recommended “peace council” are worryingly ambiguous.

International Support and Future Prospects

Robust international support for the Palestinian leadership, enabling it to take over from Hamas, is perhaps the most promising possibility. The enormous suffering of the previous 24 months means the ethical argument for a resolution to the conflict is possibly more urgent than ever. But while the truce, the return of the captives and pledge by Hamas to “disarm” Gaza should be acknowledged as favorable developments, the president's history gives little reason to believe he will accomplish – or consider himself obligated to endeavor. Temporary ease should not be interpreted as that the likelihood of a Palestinian state has been brought closer.