A cease-fire between Israel and Palestinian militant groups in Gaza officially took effect on Wednesday, November 21, 2012, bringing an end to eight days of intense cross-border hostilities. This agreement, brokered by Egypt, aimed to halt rocket fire from Gaza and end Israeli military operations.
A cease-fire between Israel and Palestinian militant groups in Gaza officially took effect on Wednesday, November 21, 2012, at 9 p.m. local time, following eight days of intense cross-border hostilities. The agreement, brokered by Egypt with significant diplomatic support from the United States, aimed to halt rocket fire from Gaza into Israel and end Israeli military operations in the territory.
The understanding was announced in Cairo by Egyptian Foreign Minister Mohamed Kamel Amr, alongside then-U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. It brought a pause to a conflict that began on November 14 with an Israeli airstrike that killed Hamas military chief Ahmed Jabari, followed by extensive rocket barrages from Gaza and hundreds of Israeli airstrikes in response, dubbed “Operation Pillar of Defense” by Israel.
Terms of the Agreement
According to the announced terms, Israel committed to ceasing all hostilities in the Gaza Strip, including targeted assassinations. In turn, Palestinian factions, primarily Hamas and Islamic Jihad, agreed to halt all rocket fire into Israel and all cross-border attacks. The agreement also stipulated that discussions would commence on easing restrictions on Gaza’s border crossings, a key demand from the Palestinian side.
International and Regional Reaction
The cease-fire was a significant diplomatic achievement for Egypt’s then-President Mohamed Morsi, who had invested considerable effort in mediating the agreement. Both Israeli and Palestinian leadership acknowledged the Egyptian role.
“The United States is committed to the security of Israel, and we are also committed to improving the lives of Palestinians,” Secretary Clinton stated during the announcement in Cairo, emphasizing the need for a “durable outcome that promotes regional stability.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office released a statement confirming that Israel would give the Egyptian cease-fire proposal a chance, while reserving the right to respond if attacks from Gaza resumed. Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal, speaking from Cairo, declared the agreement a victory for the Palestinian resistance.
“Israel failed in its objectives… The resistance has achieved a victory,” Meshaal asserted, indicating that the conflict had demonstrated the resilience of the Palestinian people.
The international community largely welcomed the cease-fire, expressing hope that it would lead to a sustained period of calm and create an opportunity to address underlying issues in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
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