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The relief following the end of fighting in Gaza is profound. Within Israeli borders, the release of surviving detainees has sparked broad celebration. Throughout Gaza and the West Bank, jubilations are also underway as approximately 2,000 Palestinian inmates start to be released – although concern lingers due to ambiguity about the identities of those released and their destinations. Across northern Gaza, people can finally return to sift through wreckage for the remains of an estimated 10,000 those who have disappeared.

Peace Breakthrough Against Prior Uncertainty

As recently as three weeks ago, the probability of a ceasefire looked improbable. Yet it has come into force, and on Monday Donald Trump journeyed from Jerusalem, where he was cheered in the Knesset, to Sharm el-Sheikh in Egypt. There, he joined a high-powered diplomatic gathering of over 20 world leaders, among them Sir Keir Starmer. The peace initiative initiated there is set to advance at a meeting in the UK. The US president, working alongside international partners, managed to secure this deal happen – regardless of, not due to, Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Dreams of Independence Tempered by Previous Experiences

Hopes that the deal represents the initial move toward Palestinian statehood are comprehensible – but, in light of previous instances, somewhat optimistic. It offers no clear path to sovereignty for Palestinians and threatens separating, for the immediate period, Gaza from the West Bank. Additionally the complete destruction this war leaves behind. The lack of any timeline for Palestinian autonomy in Mr Trump’s plan gives the lie to boastful mentions, in his Knesset speech, to the “epochal beginning” of a “age of abundance”.

The American leader could not resist dividing and personalising the deal in his speech.

In a moment of relief – with the hostage release, ceasefire and resumption of aid – he decided to reinterpret it as a morality play in which he alone restored Israel’s dignity after purported betrayal 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 connected with aid delivery and eventual diplomatic discussions.

Substantive Control Crucial for Sustainable Agreement

A proposal that denies one side genuine autonomy cannot yield sustainable agreement. The truce and aid trucks are to be embraced. But this is not currently policy development. Without systems guaranteeing Palestinian involvement and authority over their own establishments, any deal threatens freezing domination under the discourse of peace.

Relief Imperatives and Recovery Hurdles

Gaza’s people urgently require emergency support – and nutrition and medication must be the first priority. But restoration cannot wait. Within 60 million tonnes of rubble, Palestinians need assistance restoring residences, learning institutions, medical centers, religious buildings and other institutions shattered by Israel’s incursion. For Gaza’s interim government to thrive, financial support must flow quickly and safety deficiencies be filled.

Comparable with a large portion of Mr Trump’s peace plan, mentions to an global peacekeeping unit and a proposed “diplomatic committee” are worryingly ambiguous.

International Support and Potential Developments

Robust global backing for the Gaza's governing body, permitting it to succeed Hamas, is likely the most hopeful possibility. The tremendous pain of the previous 24 months means the ethical argument for a resolution to the conflict is arguably more urgent than ever. But although the truce, the repatriation of the hostages and commitment by Hamas to “demilitarise” Gaza should be accepted as positive steps, Mr Trump’s history gives little reason to believe he will accomplish – or feel bound to endeavor. Short-term relief should not be interpreted as that the possibility of a Palestinian state has been brought closer.