BICOM

After eight days of intense fighting, Hamas and Israel agreed to an Egypt-brokered ceasefire at 9pm Wednesday evening. The details of the ceasefire include an Israeli commitment to ‘stop all hostilities in the Gaza Strip by land, sea and air including incursions and the targeting of individuals,’ in exchange for Hamas’ promise to control ‘all Palestinian factions’ to ‘stop all hostilities from the Gaza Strip against Israel including rocket attacks and all attacks along the border.’ An Israeli government source reportedly said that further issues will be worked out in the next 24 hours, including the further relaxation of border restrictions, the issue of targeted assassinations, the rearming of militant groups and the Israeli-imposed buffer zone inside the Gaza border. However the IDF will not release recently mobilised IDF reservists immediately and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned that further force may be necessary if Hamas does not adhere to the terms.

Netanyahu also said Israel had destroyed thousands of missiles as well as Hamas installations, and that Israel could not “sit with their arms folded” under attack. Israeli officials are claiming success in meeting their goals, citing numerous successes from the operation, including the destruction of the long range Fajr 5 missiles, the heavy damage to Hamas and other armed groups, including the killing of al-Jabari, and the success of the Iron Dome missile defence system. Following the truce, exiled Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal claimed at a press conference in Cairo that ‘the Israeli conspiracy’ that had sought election propaganda and to ’test Egypt’ had ‘failed in its objectives’.

US President Barack Obama reportedly telephoned Netanyahu to praise him for the agreement and promise more money for the Iron Dome missile defence system. US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton announced the ceasefire together with Egyptian President Morsi. She stated, “This is a critical moment for the region. Egypt’s new government is assuming the responsibility and leadership that has long made this country a cornerstone for regional stability and peace.”