Gaza Ceasefire Brings Tangible Respite, However the US President's Pledge of a Golden Age Seems Empty
T respite brought by the halt in hostilities in Gaza is profound. Within Israeli borders, the liberation of the living hostages has led to extensive joy. Across Palestinian territories, celebrations are taking place as as many as 2,000 Palestinian inmates begin their release – though distress lingers due to doubt about which prisoners are returning and their destinations. In northern Gaza, residents can now go back to dig through rubble for the bodies of an approximated 10,000 unaccounted-for individuals.
Truce Development Against Previous Doubts
As recently as three weeks ago, the chance of a ceasefire appeared remote. But it has come into force, and on Monday Donald Trump departed Jerusalem, where he was cheered in the Knesset, to Sharm el-Sheikh in Egypt. There, he participated in a prestigious peace summit of over 20 world leaders, including Sir Keir Starmer. The diplomatic roadmap begun there is due to be continued at a conference in the UK. The US president, cooperating with international partners, managed to secure this deal happen – contrary to, not due to, Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Palestinian Statehood Hopes Tempered by Historical Realities
Hopes that the deal represents the first step toward Palestinian statehood are reasonable – but, considering past occurrences, rather hopeful. It lacks a transparent trajectory to sovereignty for Palestinians and endangers splitting, for the near term, Gaza from the West Bank. Then there is the utter devastation this war leaves behind. The absence of any timeline for Palestinian self-determination in the presidential proposal undermines vainglorious allusions, in his Knesset speech, to the “epochal beginning” of a “era of prosperity”.
The American leader could not help himself dividing and personalising the deal in his speech.
In a time of respite – with the hostage release, truce and resumption of aid – he chose to recast it as a ethical drama in which he exclusively reclaimed Israel’s prestige after alleged betrayal by previous American leaders Obama and Biden. Notwithstanding the Biden administration previously having undertaken a analogous arrangement: a ceasefire linked to aid delivery and future political talks.
Substantive Control Crucial for Legitimate Peace
A proposal that withholds one side genuine autonomy cannot yield sustainable agreement. The truce and aid trucks are to be welcomed. But this is not currently diplomatic advancement. Without processes securing Palestinian engagement and authority over their own institutions, any deal risks perpetuating domination under the rhetoric of peace.
Aid Necessities and Reconstruction Challenges
Gaza’s people crucially depend on humanitarian aid – and sustenance and pharmaceuticals must be the primary focus. But restoration should not be postponed. Within 60 million tonnes of rubble, Palestinians need support reconstructing dwellings, schools, hospitals, mosques and other organizations destroyed by Israel’s invasion. For Gaza’s provisional leadership to succeed, monetary resources must be disbursed rapidly and safety deficiencies be remedied.
Like much of Donald Trump's resolution initiative, mentions to an international stabilisation force and a suggested “board of peace” are alarmingly vague.
Worldwide Endorsement and Future Prospects
Substantial global backing for the Gaza's governing body, enabling it to take over from Hamas, is perhaps the most hopeful scenario. The tremendous pain of the previous 24 months means the moral case for a resolution to the conflict is possibly more urgent than ever. But although the truce, the homecoming of the hostages and vow by Hamas to “disarm” Gaza should be recognized as positive steps, Donald Trump's record offers minimal cause to have faith he will accomplish – or consider himself obligated to endeavor. Immediate respite should not be interpreted as that the possibility of a Palestinian state has been advanced.