End of Gaza Conflict Offers Substantial Ease, Yet the US President's Promise of a Age of Plenty Rings Hollow

The relief resulting from the end of fighting in Gaza is profound. In Israel, the liberation of captives held alive has led to broad celebration. Throughout Gaza and the West Bank, festivities have commenced as as many as 2,000 Palestinian detainees begin their release – though concern lingers due to ambiguity about which prisoners are returning and their destinations. In northern Gaza, civilians can finally go back to dig through rubble for the bodies of an approximated 10,000 those who have disappeared.

Peace Breakthrough Against Prior Uncertainty

Just three weeks ago, the chance of a ceasefire seemed unlikely. However it has come into force, 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 diplomatic gathering of more than 20 world leaders, including Sir Keir Starmer. The diplomatic roadmap initiated there is due to be continued at a meeting in the UK. The US president, acting with international partners, successfully brokered this deal take place – despite, not due to, Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Dreams of Independence Qualified by Previous Experiences

Expectations that the deal marks the first step toward Palestinian statehood are understandable – but, given past occurrences, somewhat optimistic. It provides no definite route to self-rule for Palestinians and risks separating, for the immediate period, Gaza from the West Bank. Additionally the utter devastation this war has caused. The absence of any schedule for Palestinian autonomy in Mr Trump’s plan contradicts boastful mentions, in his Knesset speech, to the “epochal beginning” of a “era of prosperity”.

The American leader was unable to refrain from polarising and making personal the deal in his speech.

In a time of respite – with the freeing of captives, truce and resumption of aid – he decided to reinterpret it as a lesson in ethics in which he alone reclaimed Israel’s honor after alleged treachery by past US commanders-in-chief Obama and Biden. Notwithstanding the Biden administration twelve months prior having tried a analogous arrangement: a truce linked to aid delivery and eventual negotiations.

Meaningful Agency Crucial for Authentic Resolution

A proposal that refuses one side substantive control cannot produce authentic resolution. The ceasefire and relief shipments are to be welcomed. But this is not currently political progress. Without processes guaranteeing Palestinian involvement and control over their own institutions, any deal risks freezing oppression under the language of peace.

Humanitarian Priorities and Recovery Hurdles

Gaza’s people crucially depend on relief assistance – and nutrition and medication must be the initial concern. But rebuilding should not be postponed. Amid 60 million tonnes of debris, Palestinians need support repairing residences, learning institutions, medical centers, mosques and other institutions shattered by Israel’s military operation. For Gaza’s interim government to thrive, monetary resources must be disbursed rapidly and safety deficiencies be remedied.

Comparable with a large portion of Donald Trump's peace plan, allusions to an global peacekeeping unit and a proposed “peace council” are disturbingly unclear.

Worldwide Endorsement and Potential Developments

Strong global backing for the Palestinian Authority, enabling it to replace Hamas, is probably the most encouraging possibility. The tremendous pain of the past two years means the humanitarian imperative for a solution to the conflict is arguably more urgent than ever. But even as the halt in fighting, the repatriation of the hostages and commitment by Hamas to “disarm” Gaza should be recognized as positive steps, Mr Trump’s track record gives little reason to trust he will deliver – or consider himself obligated to try. Temporary ease should not be interpreted as that the possibility of a Palestinian state has been advanced.