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The reprieve following the end of fighting in Gaza is profound. Across Israel, the liberation of the living hostages has led to extensive joy. Throughout Gaza and the West Bank, festivities are taking place as approximately 2,000 Palestinian inmates begin their release – although concern remains due to ambiguity about the identities of those released and their destinations. In northern Gaza, residents can now reenter sift through wreckage for the remains of an estimated 10,000 unaccounted-for individuals.

Ceasefire Emergence Against Prior Uncertainty

Only three weeks ago, the likelihood of a ceasefire appeared remote. But 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 high-level peace summit of over 20 world leaders, including Sir Keir Starmer. The diplomatic roadmap begun there is set to advance at a conference in the UK. The US president, acting with international partners, successfully brokered this deal come to fruition – despite, not because of, Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Aspirations for Sovereignty Qualified by Past Precedents

Expectations that the deal represents the first step toward Palestinian statehood are understandable – but, in light of historical precedent, rather hopeful. It offers no clear path to self-rule for Palestinians and threatens dividing, for the foreseeable future, Gaza from the West Bank. Furthermore the complete destruction this war leaves behind. The omission of any schedule for Palestinian self-governance in the presidential proposal undermines vainglorious allusions, in his Knesset speech, to the “historic dawn” of a “era of prosperity”.

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

In a period of relief – with the hostage release, truce and renewal of aid – he decided to reinterpret it as a lesson in ethics in which he exclusively restored Israel’s prestige after purported treachery by past US commanders-in-chief Obama and Biden. This despite the Biden administration twelve months prior having tried a similar deal: a truce linked to relief entry and future political talks.

Meaningful Agency Essential for Sustainable Agreement

A proposal that refuses one side meaningful agency cannot produce legitimate peace. The truce and humanitarian convoys are to be applauded. But this is still not diplomatic advancement. Without processes guaranteeing Palestinian engagement and command over their own organizations, any deal risks perpetuating subjugation under the discourse of peace.

Humanitarian Priorities and Recovery Hurdles

Gaza’s people desperately need humanitarian aid – and food and medicines must be the primary focus. But reconstruction should not be postponed. Within 60 million tonnes of wreckage, Palestinians need help repairing dwellings, educational facilities, healthcare facilities, religious buildings and other institutions devastated by Israel’s invasion. For Gaza’s interim government to prosper, funding must flow quickly and safety deficiencies be addressed.

Like a large portion of Donald Trump's resolution initiative, allusions to an multinational security contingent and a proposed “board of peace” are disturbingly unclear.

Worldwide Endorsement and Future Prospects

Robust global backing for the Palestinian leadership, allowing it to take over from Hamas, is perhaps the most hopeful possibility. The enormous suffering of the recent period means the humanitarian imperative for a resolution to the conflict is potentially more pressing than ever. But even as the truce, the repatriation of the captives and pledge by Hamas to “disarm” Gaza should be acknowledged as constructive moves, the president's history gives little reason to believe he will deliver – or consider himself obligated to endeavor. Immediate respite does not imply that the likelihood of a Palestinian state has been advanced.