Egypt Brokers Ceasefire Ending Eight-Day Gaza War

A ceasefire between Israel and Hamas took effect at 9 PM local time tonight, ending eight days of intense fighting that killed over 160 Palestinians and six Israelis, as Egypt’s new Islamist government successfully mediated between the warring parties.

Ceasefire Terms

The agreement, announced in Cairo by Egyptian Foreign Minister Mohamed Kamel Amr alongside US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, includes:

1. Cessation of all hostilities
2. Israel to stop all attacks on Gaza by land, sea, and air
3. Palestinian factions to stop all rocket fire and border attacks
4. Opening of border crossings and easing of movement restrictions (details to be worked out within 24 hours)
5. Egypt to serve as guarantor

Final Toll

Palestinian Casualties:

• 163 killed (including 37 children)
• Over 1,200 wounded
• Hundreds of homes destroyed

Israeli Casualties:

• 6 killed (4 civilians, 2 soldiers)
• 240 wounded
• Property damage in southern cities

Egypt’s Pivotal Role

President Mohamed Morsi’s government played a crucial mediating role:

• Direct channels with Hamas leadership
• Pressure on both sides
• International credibility
• US backing through Clinton’s shuttle diplomacy

Key Developments

Military Operations:

• Over 1,500 Israeli airstrikes
• More than 1,400 rockets fired from Gaza
• Iron Dome intercepted 421 rockets (84% success rate)
• Tel Aviv and Jerusalem targeted for first time since 1991

Diplomatic Pressure:

• UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon visited region
• Clinton’s emergency diplomatic mission
• Regional leaders’ intensive involvement

Reactions

Prime Minister Netanyahu: “We achieved all our goals. Hamas was hit hard.”

Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal: “This is a victory for all Palestinians. Israel failed in its goals.”

President Obama: Praised Netanyahu for “agreeing to the Egyptian ceasefire proposal.”

Challenges Ahead

1. Implementing crossing agreements
2. Preventing weapons smuggling
3. Addressing root causes
4. Maintaining ceasefire amid violations

Analysis

This round demonstrated:

• Hamas’s improved rocket capabilities
• Iron Dome’s effectiveness
• Egypt’s new regional role post-Arab Spring
• Limits of military solutions

The ceasefire leaves fundamental issues unresolved, suggesting this is likely another temporary pause in the long-running conflict rather than a lasting solution.