Last weekend, President Donald Trump made a high-profile visit to the Middle East, celebrating a ceasefire brokered by his administration between Hamas and Israel after two grueling years of conflict. Yet, as celebratory rhetoric filled the air and hostages were released, the reality on the ground tells a different story. The question remains: does this ceasefire truly signal a path toward lasting peace, or is it a thin veneer over the persistent injustices and power imbalances that plague the region?
In an attempt to unpack the complexities of this agreement, I spoke with Daniel Levy, the president of the US/Middle East Project and a former Israeli peace negotiator who has witnessed firsthand the intricacies of the Middle Eastern conflict. Levy aptly cautioned against conflating the cessation of violence with the notion of genuine peace, stating, “One war crime is not met by another.” His insights resonate profoundly in this moment, as the situation in Gaza remains precarious despite the temporary halt in fighting.
Levy pointed out that while it is indeed a relief that the bombings have ceased and humanitarian aid is trickling into Gaza, these developments do not equate to a sustainable solution. “The Palestinians in Gaza are not being starved, bombed, displaced, and killed today,” he noted, which is undeniably a crucial aspect of the ceasefire’s impact. However, the lack of a concrete plan for a future that addresses the ongoing Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories, particularly Gaza, is glaring.
The proclamations made by Trump and his allies about a “historic peace deal” ring hollow against the backdrop of an unresolved occupation. The absence of a comprehensive strategy to address core issues—evidenced by the continued Israeli military presence in approximately 50 percent of Gaza—casts a long shadow over any claims of progress. The festive atmosphere of Trump’s speech before the Israeli Knesset, laden with bravado and historical assertions, fails to acknowledge the grim realities faced by Palestinians.
Why has this ceasefire emerged at this juncture? According to Levy, both Hamas and Israeli leadership found themselves in a confluence of pressures that made negotiations necessary. For Hamas, the involvement of regional powers like Qatar and Turkey provided leverage, while Netanyahu faced mounting international scrutiny. His previous aggressive tactics had led to a backlash, creating a rare moment where diplomatic pressure could not be ignored. The urgency to manipulate these dynamics for political gain cannot be overlooked; it showcases a profound disregard for the human cost of conflict.
While some credit is due to Trump’s administration for securing this ceasefire, it comes with caveats. Any evaluation of their approach must contend with the context of previous administrations’ failures, particularly the Biden administration’s timid responses. The Trump administration’s tactics, while possibly yielding short-term results, are steeped in a troubling legacy characterized by disregard for international law and a failure to recognize Palestinian humanity.
The peace framework on the table—if it can even be called that—lacks substance. The so-called “20-point plan” offers little more than hollow promises, with no mention of addressing the rights and needs of Palestinians in the West Bank. This glaring omission underscores the systemic inequities that persist in the region, perpetuated by both American and Israeli leadership.
Looking ahead, one must question how committed the Biden administration could have been in leveraging its position to secure an earlier ceasefire. The reality is that the U.S. cannot escape its role in this conflict—America’s political and military support has been a crucial factor in Israel’s actions. The Biden administration had numerous opportunities to exert pressure, yet consistently opted for a path of least resistance, allowing violence to escalate unchecked.
The concern now is not just whether this ceasefire will hold, but what it signifies for the future. The history of ceasefires in this region is fraught with violations and failures, as exemplified by the collapse of an earlier ceasefire in March. The promise of an international stabilization force or a “Board of Peace” for Gaza feels like a far-off fantasy without a commitment to accountability and recognition of past atrocities.
Trump’s recent comments, praising Israel’s military actions as a demonstration of strength, only reinforce the permissive environment for further violence. Israeli politicians are likely to interpret this as a green light for continued aggression, emboldened by unwavering U.S. support. The normalization of such rhetoric creates a dangerous precedent, allowing the cycle of violence to perpetuate while dismissing the dignity and rights of Palestinians.
As we analyze the implications of this ceasefire, it becomes clear that a superficial cessation of hostilities does not equate to lasting peace. A genuine resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict demands an unwavering commitment to social justice, equality, and the upholding of human rights. It is imperative that the international community recognizes the systemic injustices at play, holds all parties accountable, and prioritizes the voices of those most affected by this ongoing struggle. Without such efforts, the current ceasefire may ultimately serve as nothing more than a temporary reprieve in a long history of oppression and violence.
This article highlights the importance of Illusion of Peace.
