The Guardian’s view on peace in Gaza: The relief is real, but Trump’s promise of a ‘golden age’ rings hollow | Editorial

TThe relief brought by the end of the fighting in Gaza is enormous. In Israel, the release of living hostages led to widespread joy. Gaza and the West Bank are also witnessing celebrations, with the start of the release of up to 2,000 Palestinian detainees – although there is also distress, due to uncertainty about who will be released and where they will be sent. In northern Gaza, people can finally return to digging through the rubble in search of the remains of an estimated 10,000 missing people.

Just three weeks ago, the prospect of a ceasefire seemed remote. But it took effect, and on Monday Donald Trump traveled from Jerusalem, where he was welcomed in the Knesset, to Sharm el-Sheikh in Egypt. There, he joined a high-level peace summit of more than 20 world leaders, including Sir Keir Starmer. The peace plan that began there is scheduled to continue at a conference in the United Kingdom. The US President, in cooperation with international partners, succeeded in reaching this deal – in spite of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, not because of him.

Hopes that the agreement represents the first step toward establishing a Palestinian state are understandable — but given the historical precedent, somewhat optimistic. It does not offer a clear path to sovereignty for Palestinians and risks dividing Gaza from the West Bank for the foreseeable future. Then there is the absolute devastation that this war left behind. – There is no timetable for Palestinian self-determination Mr. Trump’s plan He belies the arrogant references, in his speech in the Knesset, to the “historical dawn” of the “golden age.”

The American President could not prevent himself from polarizing the deal and giving it a personal character in his speech. In a moment of relief – with the hostages released, a ceasefire, and aid resumed – he chose to recast it as a morality play in which he single-handedly restored Israel’s honor after the supposed betrayal by previous US presidents. Obama and Biden. This is despite the Biden administration A year ago Having tried to reach a similar agreement: a ceasefire linked to the arrival of humanitarian aid and eventual political talks.

A plan that deprives one party of the ability to play a meaningful role cannot lead to legitimate peace. The ceasefire and aid trucks must be welcomed. But this is not political progress yet. Without mechanisms to ensure Palestinian participation and control over their own institutions, any deal risks freezing submission under the language of peace.

The people of Gaza are in desperate need of humanitarian aid – food and medicine must be the first priority. But reconstruction couldn’t wait. Amid 60 million tons of rubble, Palestinians need help restoring homes, schools, hospitals, mosques and other institutions destroyed by the Israeli invasion. For the transitional administration in Gaza to succeed, funding must flow quickly and security gaps must be closed. Like much of Trump’s peace plan, the references to the International Stabilization Force and the proposed “peace council”, with Sir Tony Blair, are worryingly vague.

Strong international support for Palestinian AuthorityEnabling it to take over from Hamas is perhaps the most promising possibility. The enormous suffering we have witnessed over the past two years means that the moral issue of resolving the conflict has become more urgent than ever. But while the ceasefire, the return of the hostages, and Hamas’ commitment to “demilitarize” Gaza should be recognized as positive steps, Trump’s record gives little reason to believe that he will deliver – or to feel obligated to try. Short-term relief does not mean that the possibility of establishing a Palestinian state is any closer.

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