🔗 Share this article

T relief brought by the halt in hostilities in Gaza is profound. In Israel, the freeing of the living hostages has sparked extensive joy. Across Palestinian territories, festivities are also underway as up to 2,000 Palestinian inmates are being freed – although distress remains due to uncertainty about the identities of those released and their eventual placements. In northern Gaza, people can at last return to sift through wreckage for the bodies of an estimated 10,000 those who have disappeared.

Peace Breakthrough Contrary to Earlier Odds

As recently as three weeks ago, the likelihood of a ceasefire seemed unlikely. Yet it has been implemented, and on Monday Donald Trump journeyed from Jerusalem, where he was cheered in the Knesset, to Sharm el-Sheikh in Egypt. There, he participated in a high-powered peace summit of over 20 world leaders, among them Sir Keir Starmer. The peace initiative begun there is due to be continued at a meeting in the UK. The US president, cooperating with international partners, managed to secure this deal come to fruition – despite, not owing to, Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Dreams of Independence Tempered by Previous Experiences

Hopes that the deal represents the first step toward Palestinian statehood are understandable – but, considering past occurrences, rather hopeful. It provides no definite route to independence for Palestinians and endangers separating, for the immediate period, Gaza from the West Bank. Then there is the complete destruction this war has produced. The absence of any timeframe for Palestinian autonomy in the US initiative undermines self-aggrandizing allusions, in his Knesset speech, to the “historic dawn” of a “era of prosperity”.

The American leader could not help himself polarising and individualizing the deal in his speech.

In a moment of respite – with the liberation of detainees, halt in fighting and resumption of aid – he chose to recast it as a lesson in ethics in which he alone reclaimed Israel’s honor after supposed disloyalty by past US commanders-in-chief Obama and Biden. Notwithstanding the Biden administration previously having tried a comparable agreement: a cessation of hostilities tied to humanitarian access and ultimate political talks.

Meaningful Agency Vital for Authentic Resolution

A plan that denies one side substantive control cannot produce legitimate peace. The truce and humanitarian convoys are to be applauded. But this is still not political progress. Without processes ensuring Palestinian participation and control over their own organizations, any deal risks perpetuating oppression under the language of peace.

Aid Necessities and Rebuilding Obstacles

Gaza’s people crucially depend on humanitarian aid – and food and medicines must be the primary focus. But reconstruction should not be postponed. Within 60 million tonnes of debris, Palestinians need support reconstructing homes, schools, medical centers, religious buildings and other establishments devastated by Israel’s invasion. For Gaza’s provisional leadership to thrive, monetary resources must be disbursed rapidly and protection voids be filled.

Like a great deal of the president's peace plan, references to an multinational security contingent and a recommended “diplomatic committee” are disturbingly unclear.

Worldwide Endorsement and Future Prospects

Substantial worldwide endorsement for the Gaza's governing body, permitting it to take over from Hamas, is perhaps the most encouraging prospect. The enormous suffering of the previous 24 months means the ethical argument for a settlement to the conflict is possibly more critical than ever. But although the truce, the repatriation of the captives and pledge by Hamas to “disarm” Gaza should be recognized as positive steps, Mr Trump’s record gives little reason to have faith he will fulfill – or deem himself compelled to try. Temporary ease does not mean that the prospect of a Palestinian state has been moved nearer.