End of Gaza Conflict Provides Tangible Respite, But Trump's Promise of a Golden Age Seems Empty

The reprieve brought by the ceasefire in Gaza is substantial. In Israel, the release of surviving detainees has resulted in broad celebration. Across Palestinian territories, festivities are taking place as as many as 2,000 Palestinian detainees start to be released – although anguish persists due to ambiguity about who is being freed and where they will be sent. Throughout Gaza's northern regions, people can now return to sift through wreckage for the bodies of an approximated 10,000 missing people.

Peace Breakthrough Contrary to Previous Doubts

As recently as three weeks ago, the chance of a ceasefire looked improbable. However it has come into force, and on Monday Donald Trump travelled from Jerusalem, where he was applauded in the Knesset, to Sharm el-Sheikh in Egypt. There, he joined a high-level peace conference of over 20 world leaders, including Sir Keir Starmer. The plan for peace begun there is set to advance at a meeting in the UK. The US president, cooperating with international partners, managed to secure this deal happen – despite, not owing to, Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Palestinian Statehood Hopes Qualified by Previous Experiences

Aspirations that the deal marks the initial move toward Palestinian statehood are reasonable – but, in light of past occurrences, somewhat optimistic. It provides no definite route to self-rule for Palestinians and endangers splitting, for the immediate period, Gaza from the West Bank. Furthermore the complete destruction this war has caused. The omission of any schedule for Palestinian autonomy in Mr Trump’s plan undermines self-aggrandizing mentions, in his Knesset speech, to the “monumental start” of a “age of abundance”.

Donald Trump could not help himself polarising and making personal the deal in his speech.

In a time of respite – with the freeing of captives, ceasefire and renewal of aid – he decided to reinterpret it as a lesson in ethics in which he exclusively restored Israel’s prestige after supposed disloyalty by past US commanders-in-chief Obama and Biden. This despite the Biden administration twelve months prior having undertaken a comparable agreement: a truce linked to humanitarian access and ultimate political talks.

Substantive Control Vital for Legitimate Peace

A initiative that denies one side meaningful agency cannot produce legitimate peace. The ceasefire and relief shipments are to be applauded. But this is still not diplomatic advancement. Without processes ensuring Palestinian engagement and command over their own organizations, any deal threatens perpetuating subjugation under the rhetoric of peace.

Humanitarian Priorities and Recovery Hurdles

Gaza’s people crucially depend on humanitarian aid – and nutrition and medication must be the first priority. But restoration must not be delayed. Among 60 million tonnes of debris, Palestinians need support repairing homes, learning institutions, medical centers, places of worship and other organizations destroyed by Israel’s invasion. For Gaza’s interim government to prosper, financial support must flow quickly and protection voids be addressed.

Like a great deal of the president's diplomatic proposal, mentions to an multinational security contingent and a proposed “diplomatic committee” are worryingly ambiguous.

International Support and Potential Developments

Robust international support for the Palestinian Authority, enabling it to succeed Hamas, is likely the most promising prospect. The tremendous pain of the recent period means the ethical argument for a solution to the conflict is possibly more urgent than ever. But while the ceasefire, the return of the hostages and pledge by Hamas to “disarm” Gaza should be recognized as constructive moves, the president's record offers minimal cause to trust he will fulfill – or feel bound to endeavor. Temporary ease should not be interpreted as that the prospect of a Palestinian state has been advanced.