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T reprieve resulting from the end of fighting in Gaza is profound. Within Israeli borders, the release of surviving detainees has sparked extensive joy. Throughout Gaza and the West Bank, jubilations are taking place as approximately 2,000 Palestinian detainees start to be released – though anguish remains due to ambiguity about which prisoners are returning and their eventual placements. Across northern Gaza, people can finally reenter sift through wreckage for the remains of an approximated 10,000 missing people.

Peace Breakthrough Despite Previous Doubts

Just three weeks ago, the chance of a ceasefire seemed unlikely. However it has taken effect, and on Monday Donald Trump travelled from Jerusalem, where he was cheered in the Knesset, to Sharm el-Sheikh in Egypt. There, he attended a prestigious peace conference of in excess of 20 world leaders, among them Sir Keir Starmer. The diplomatic roadmap begun there is due to be continued at a conference in the UK. The US president, acting with international partners, managed to secure this deal take place – contrary to, not because of, Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Aspirations for Sovereignty Qualified by Historical Realities

Hopes that the deal signifies the opening phase toward Palestinian statehood are understandable – but, in light of historical precedent, slightly idealistic. It provides no definite route to self-rule for Palestinians and endangers dividing, for the immediate period, Gaza from the West Bank. Then there is the complete destruction this war has produced. The absence of any timeline for Palestinian self-determination in the presidential proposal undermines boastful references, in his Knesset speech, to the “historic dawn” of a “age of abundance”.

The US president could not help himself polarising and individualizing the deal in his speech.

In a moment of relief – with the hostage release, ceasefire and resumption of aid – he chose to recast it as a ethical drama in which he solely reclaimed Israel’s prestige after alleged disloyalty by former US presidents Obama and Biden. Notwithstanding the Biden administration previously having undertaken a comparable agreement: a truce linked to aid delivery and future negotiations.

Genuine Autonomy Vital for Authentic Resolution

A proposal that refuses one side substantive control cannot produce authentic resolution. The halt in hostilities and aid trucks are to be welcomed. But this is still not policy development. Without systems securing Palestinian involvement and authority over their own organizations, any deal endangers freezing domination under the rhetoric of peace.

Humanitarian Priorities and Recovery Hurdles

Gaza’s people urgently require emergency support – and nutrition and medication must be the first priority. But restoration cannot wait. Among 60 million tonnes of wreckage, Palestinians need support repairing residences, learning institutions, hospitals, places of worship and other establishments destroyed by Israel’s incursion. For Gaza’s transitional administration to thrive, financial support must arrive promptly and security gaps be addressed.

Similar to much of Mr Trump’s diplomatic proposal, allusions to an international stabilisation force and a recommended “peace council” are worryingly ambiguous.

Worldwide Endorsement and Prospective Outcomes

Robust worldwide endorsement for the Palestinian Authority, enabling it to take over from Hamas, is perhaps the most hopeful possibility. The tremendous pain of the recent period means the moral case for a solution to the conflict is arguably more urgent than ever. But even as the truce, the return of the detainees and commitment by Hamas to “remove weapons from” Gaza should be accepted as favorable developments, Donald Trump's track record provides scant basis to trust he will deliver – or consider himself obligated to attempt. Temporary ease does not imply that the likelihood of a Palestinian state has been advanced.