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T reprieve following the halt in hostilities in Gaza is immense. Across Israel, the freeing of the living hostages has sparked extensive joy. In Gaza and the West Bank, festivities are taking place as as many as 2,000 Palestinian prisoners are being freed – though distress lingers due to doubt about who is being freed and their destinations. In northern Gaza, residents can now return to search the debris for the bodies of an estimated 10,000 missing people.

Peace Breakthrough Despite Prior Uncertainty

Only three weeks ago, the chance of a ceasefire appeared remote. But it has been implemented, and on Monday Donald Trump journeyed from Jerusalem, where he was hailed in the Knesset, to Sharm el-Sheikh in Egypt. There, he joined a prestigious peace summit of in excess of 20 world leaders, including Sir Keir Starmer. The peace initiative launched at that summit is scheduled to proceed at a assembly in the UK. The US president, acting 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

Hopes that the deal represents the opening phase toward Palestinian statehood are comprehensible – but, considering previous instances, rather hopeful. It provides no definite route to self-rule for Palestinians and risks splitting, for the foreseeable future, Gaza from the West Bank. Furthermore the total ruin this war has caused. The lack of any timeframe for Palestinian autonomy in Mr Trump’s plan contradicts self-aggrandizing mentions, in his Knesset speech, to the “historic dawn” of a “era of prosperity”.

The US president was unable to refrain from polarising and making personal the deal in his speech.

In a moment of respite – with the freeing of captives, halt in fighting and restart of aid – he decided to reinterpret it as a lesson in ethics in which he alone restored Israel’s prestige after alleged treachery by past US commanders-in-chief Obama and Biden. This even as the Biden administration a year ago having undertaken a similar deal: a truce linked to humanitarian access and ultimate diplomatic discussions.

Genuine Autonomy Vital for Legitimate Peace

A proposal that withholds one side genuine autonomy is incapable of delivering authentic resolution. The ceasefire and aid trucks are to be welcomed. But this is not yet political progress. Without systems guaranteeing Palestinian participation and control over their own organizations, any deal threatens perpetuating domination under the language of peace.

Relief Imperatives and Rebuilding Obstacles

Gaza’s people crucially depend on humanitarian aid – and nutrition and medication must be the first priority. But restoration must not be delayed. Amid 60 million tonnes of wreckage, Palestinians need support restoring residences, educational facilities, medical centers, mosques and other establishments devastated by Israel’s invasion. For Gaza’s provisional leadership to thrive, financial support must be disbursed rapidly and protection voids be remedied.

Comparable with a great deal of Donald Trump's resolution initiative, mentions to an global peacekeeping unit and a proposed “board of peace” are worryingly ambiguous.

International Support and Potential Developments

Strong global backing for the Palestinian leadership, allowing it to take over from Hamas, is probably the most encouraging prospect. The tremendous pain of the previous 24 months means the ethical argument for a resolution to the conflict is potentially more pressing than ever. But while the ceasefire, the homecoming of the captives and commitment by Hamas to “remove weapons from” Gaza should be accepted as favorable developments, the president's record provides scant basis to have faith he will deliver – or consider himself obligated to endeavor. Temporary ease does not mean that the prospect of a Palestinian state has been brought closer.