Source: AFP World News / English Date: November 21, 2012
CAIRO, Nov 21, 2012 (AFP) -
Israel and Hamas agreed Wednesday to an Egyptian-brokered ceasefire accord to end a week of violence in and around the Gaza Strip following days of marathon talks.
Here is the text of the ceasefire agreement which is set to take effect at 1900 GMT:
“Israel shall stop all hostilities in the Gaza Strip land sea and air, including incursions and targeting of individuals.
“All Palestinian factions shall stop all hostilities from the Gaza Strip against Israel, including rocket attacks and all attacks along the border.
“Opening the crossings and facilitating the movement of people and transfer of goods and refraining from restricting residents’ free movements and targeting residents in border areas. Procedures of implementation shall be dealt with after 24 hours from the start of the ceasefire.
“Other matters as may be requested shall be addressed.”
And Secretary Clinton’s remarks on what comes next
Now we have to focus on reaching a durable outcome that promotes regional stability and advances the security, dignity, and legitimate aspirations of Palestinians and Israelis alike. President Morsi and I discussed how the United States and Egypt can work together to support the next steps in that process. In the days ahead, the United States will work with partners across the region to consolidate this progress, improve conditions for the people of Gaza, and provide security for the people of Israel. Ultimately, every step must move us toward a comprehensive peace for all the people of the region.
WHAT IT MEANS:
1. Hamas and Israel are negotiating (see first line of agreement)
2. Hamas has made progress toward what it has wanted all along. As far back as 2008, it offered Israel an end to rocket attacks in exchange for Israel lifting the blockade. In fact, Hamas implemented a ceasefire, as promised, while Israel never lifted the blockade.
3. Israel has agreed to ending target assassinations. This, combined with the lifting of the blockade, has been Hamas’ demand since Israel placed Gaza under siege. Now Israel has agreed to end the assassinations and incursions into Gaza of any kind.
4. At this point we do not know how extensive the lifting of the blockage will be. But, as guarantor of the agreement, President Morsi will likely insist on serious action.
5. All attacks on Israel from Gaza will end. Hamas has repeatedly offered this to Israel in exchange for, as above, the lifting of the blockade and the end of the assassinations. Both conditions were met.
6.The United States has conceded the full legitimacy of the Morsi government and, by extension, of the Muslim Brotherhood. Hamas also is legitimated by the agreement to which it was an equal party.
7. Netanyahu got absolutely nothing. Happily, the people of southern Israel have but his goal was to break Hamas not defend Sderot. He utterly failed.
8. Additionally, Secretary Clinton has committed the United States to helping to achieve “security, dignity, and legitimate aspirations of Palestinians and Israelis alike.” (She named Palestinians first, not an accident). This could mean resumption of the peace process, the idea of which gives Netanyahu cold shivers.
Bottom line: Hamas, President Morsi and the Muslim Brotherhood came out ahead. So did the people (not the government) of Israel. The big losers were Netanyahu, Barak and their war cabinet and, above all, the innocent civilians of Gaza who were killed in Netanyahu’s war. Nothing makes up for the loss of the innocents, especially the children, but it would be even worse if the aggressor had achieved his goal. Nonetheless, he is a war criminal, just a failed one.
We can only pray that the ceasefire holds and that, as it now appears, President Obama does indeed remember who and what Netanyahu is.
Netanyahu never had any goal of “breaking HAMAS”. He would have sent the army in if that was his intention. In fact, Israel has a collective leadership at this point and the decision would not been his alone to make in any event. Barak and Lieberman have great influence as well. The goal was to get HAMAS to stop shooting and to take responsibilty for everything that takes place in their territory. HAMAS was already asking for a cease-fire after the 2nd or 3rd day so it seems they didn’t view the war as any great advantage for them.
It’s no David and Goliath situation. Iran is supporting the Palestinians at the expense of Iranians much like the US is sacrificing its own interests and good name by supporting Israel against their own interest. Palestinians aren’t smarter, tougher or more advanced than Uyghurs or Chechens. They just have an international fan club.
Yeah Yeah.You can’t gloat about defeat yet claim to be weak, passive, and vulnerable at the same time.
Beautiful agreement (modulo not much said about blockade) and LOVELY analysis by MJR. Also, not clear that Obama/Clinton have been as nasty to Palestinians, peace, justice as many of us expected. Maybe Obama is today remaking that Cairo speech — but by deeds rather than words.
Would like to know how the arms were twisted in Tel Aviv to get even this much done. Per your analysis, the arms were severely twisted. And we’ll never know how unless AIPAC blabs.
Dear Mr Rosenberg,
I am a Muslim from Malaysia and I first came to know you since Israel rained Gaza with bombs a couple of days ago. I am so happy to know a Jew who calls a spade a spade and the Israel government are acting like d*cks (a more PC word is terrorists).
In time, although there are some of your comments that I disagree with you, but the bottomline remains the same: we wish for a peaceful solution for Palestine (not just Gaza and West Back) and Israel.
Where your ties with the conflict is much more stronger with the Israeli side, I identify myself more with the Palestinians; they are my brothers and sisters.
But any solution to the conflict would require a participation from both sides. If Hamas said they want a solution without Israel, they are being unrealistic (idiots), and Israel would never have a solution alone.
There was a time where the Muslims and Christians and Jews, Arabs and Jews, all live happily together on that strip of land together, and I hope that history can repeat itself again with everybody living happily together, respecting and tolerating each other.
I give you my word, if peace is restored, that the Muslims would certainly keep the covenant of Umar ibn Al Khattab.
I hope that this ceasefire remains and I would follow your thoughts in the future.
This all seemed rather orchestrated from the beginning, to the current situation only to bring forth that of legitimacy of the new Egyptian government. This was the entire plan from the beginning, Obama has allowed Israel’s enemies to surround her and this is nothing more than orchestrated.
“we do not know how extensive the lifting of the blockage will be”
In this respect, the agreement is something less than ambiguous, It says anything or nothing. And that’s pretty dangerous.
What if tomorrow, say, the warships attack Gaza fishermen on sea? In that case will be clear that they have never meant seriously lifting any blockade.