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T relief following the halt in hostilities in Gaza is profound. Within Israeli borders, the release of the living hostages has sparked widespread elation. Across Palestinian territories, jubilations are taking place as up to 2,000 Palestinian detainees begin their release – though distress lingers due to doubt about who is being freed and their destinations. In northern Gaza, residents can now return to sift through wreckage for the bodies of an approximated 10,000 missing people.

Ceasefire Emergence Despite Prior Uncertainty

As recently as three weeks ago, the likelihood of a ceasefire seemed unlikely. But 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 joined a high-level peace summit of more than 20 world leaders, among them Sir Keir Starmer. The diplomatic roadmap launched at that summit is set to advance at a assembly in the UK. The US president, cooperating with international partners, managed to secure this deal come to fruition – contrary to, not owing to, Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Palestinian Statehood Hopes Tempered by Previous Experiences

Expectations that the deal represents the first step toward Palestinian statehood are reasonable – but, in light of past occurrences, slightly idealistic. It lacks a transparent trajectory to independence for Palestinians and threatens splitting, for the foreseeable future, Gaza from the West Bank. Additionally the complete destruction this war has produced. The lack of any schedule for Palestinian autonomy in the presidential proposal undermines vainglorious references, in his Knesset speech, to the “historic dawn” of a “golden age”.

Donald Trump was unable to refrain from sowing division and personalising the deal in his speech.

In a moment of ease – with the liberation of detainees, ceasefire and resumption of aid – he decided to reinterpret it as a morality play in which he solely restored Israel’s dignity after purported treachery by former US presidents Obama and Biden. This despite the Biden administration a year ago having tried a similar deal: a cessation of hostilities linked to humanitarian access and future political talks.

Substantive Control Vital for Legitimate Peace

A initiative that denies one side substantive control cannot produce sustainable agreement. The truce and aid trucks are to be applauded. But this is not currently political progress. Without processes ensuring Palestinian engagement and control over their own institutions, any deal endangers cementing oppression under the discourse of peace.

Aid Necessities and Recovery Hurdles

Gaza’s people urgently require relief assistance – and nutrition and medication must be the first priority. But restoration must not be delayed. Amid 60 million tonnes of wreckage, Palestinians need assistance restoring dwellings, schools, medical centers, places of worship and other establishments shattered by Israel’s incursion. For Gaza’s provisional leadership to thrive, monetary resources must arrive promptly and safety deficiencies be remedied.

Like a large portion of the president's diplomatic proposal, references to an international stabilisation force and a suggested “diplomatic committee” are worryingly ambiguous.

International Support and Potential Developments

Strong global backing for the Palestinian leadership, allowing it to take over from Hamas, is perhaps the most promising possibility. The tremendous pain of the recent period means the humanitarian imperative for a solution to the conflict is possibly more critical than ever. But although the truce, the return of the hostages and commitment by Hamas to “remove weapons from” Gaza should be acknowledged as favorable developments, Donald Trump's track record provides scant basis to trust he will accomplish – or deem himself compelled to endeavor. Immediate respite does not mean that the possibility of a Palestinian state has been advanced.