The respite resulting from the halt in hostilities in Gaza is profound. Across Israel, the release of the living hostages has sparked widespread elation. In Gaza and the West Bank, celebrations are also underway as approximately 2,000 Palestinian detainees are being freed – though concern persists due to doubt about which prisoners are returning and where they will be sent. In northern Gaza, people can finally reenter search the debris for the bodies of an approximated 10,000 unaccounted-for individuals.
Peace Breakthrough Contrary to Prior Uncertainty
As recently as three weeks ago, the probability of a ceasefire appeared remote. But 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 prestigious diplomatic gathering of more than 20 world leaders, including Sir Keir Starmer. The diplomatic roadmap begun there is due to be continued at a meeting in the UK. The US president, cooperating with international partners, did make this deal happen – regardless of, not due to, Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Aspirations for Sovereignty Qualified by Past Precedents
Aspirations that the deal signifies the initial move toward Palestinian statehood are comprehensible – but, given previous instances, rather hopeful. It offers no clear path to independence for Palestinians and threatens dividing, for the foreseeable future, Gaza from the West Bank. Furthermore the complete destruction this war leaves behind. The absence of any timeline for Palestinian self-governance in the US initiative undermines vainglorious mentions, in his Knesset speech, to the “epochal beginning” of a “age of abundance”.
The US president could not help himself dividing and individualizing the deal in his speech.
In a time of ease – with the hostage release, truce and restart of aid – he decided to reinterpret it as a morality play in which he exclusively restored Israel’s honor after purported treachery by previous American leaders Obama and Biden. Notwithstanding the Biden administration previously having attempted a comparable agreement: a ceasefire tied to aid delivery and eventual diplomatic discussions.
Substantive Control Crucial for Authentic Resolution
A proposal that denies one side genuine autonomy cannot yield legitimate peace. The truce and aid trucks are to be embraced. But this is not currently policy development. Without processes securing Palestinian participation and command over their own organizations, any deal endangers freezing domination under the language of peace.
Aid Necessities and Reconstruction Challenges
Gaza’s people desperately need humanitarian aid – and sustenance and pharmaceuticals must be the first priority. But restoration should not be postponed. Within 60 million tonnes of rubble, Palestinians need help repairing residences, learning institutions, hospitals, places of worship and other establishments destroyed by Israel’s incursion. For Gaza’s transitional administration to thrive, funding must flow quickly and safety deficiencies be remedied.
Similar to a great deal of the president's diplomatic proposal, references to an global peacekeeping unit and a proposed “diplomatic committee” are worryingly ambiguous.
Worldwide Endorsement and Potential Developments
Strong international support for the Gaza's governing body, permitting it to replace Hamas, is perhaps the most hopeful possibility. The tremendous pain of the past two years means the ethical argument for a resolution to the conflict is arguably more pressing than ever. But although the halt in fighting, the homecoming of the hostages and pledge by Hamas to “demilitarise” Gaza should be recognized as favorable developments, the president's record provides scant basis to trust he will deliver – or consider himself obligated to endeavor. Short-term relief does not mean that the possibility of a Palestinian state has been advanced.
