After eight days of fighting between Israel and Hamas, a ceasefire agreement was reached that could usher in a new era of relations between the bitter enemies. Israel achieved its goals of stopping rocket fire from Gaza without a ground invasion or losing international support. Hamas gained international credibility and proved its ability to defend Gaza despite airstrikes. Palestinian President Abbas lost influence as he had no role in negotiations, while Egyptian President Morsi's role as mediator enhanced his prestige. The US engagement in brokering the ceasefire could signal renewed involvement in the region's conflicts.

1. WINNERS AND LOSERS FROM GAZA FIGHTING
Associated Press, Jerusalem | World | Fri, November 23 2012, 12:19 PM
Ultra-Orthodox Jews of the Bratslav Hasidic sect, that gathered to show support for the forces,
dance as they celebrate atop of a tank in southern Israel, close to the Israel Gaza Strip Border,
on Thursday. A cease-fire agreement between Israel and the Gaza Strip's Hamas rulers took
effect Wednesday night, bringing an end to eight days of the fiercest fighting in years and
possibly signaling a new era of relations between the bitter enemies. (AP/Tsafrir Abayov)
After eight days of the fiercest fighting in years, a cease-fire agreement between Israel and the
Gaza Strip's Hamas rulers could usher in a new era of relations between the bitter foes. The
renewed quiet on both home fronts raises questions about what those involved gained, and lost,
from the fighting and its aftermath.
ISRAEL AND PRIME MINISTER BENJAMIN NETANYAHU
Israel secured an agreement to stop the persistent rocket fire from the Gaza Strip into southern
Israel without launching a ground invasion into Gaza or losing the support of its international
allies. Netanyahu's bid for re-election in January could be vastly strengthened by the operation
and by the killing of Hamas militant leader Ahmed Jabari on the first day of fighting. Netanyahu
got the backing of President Barack Obama during the fighting, a significant achievement after
their already shaky relationship grew colder when Netanyahu was perceived to favor Republican
nominee Mitt Romney during the recent US election. Israel also secured a commitment from the
US to help stop weapons smuggling into Gaza.
HAMAS
The Islamic militant group that rules Gaza gained significant international credibility, with Arab
and Turkish diplomats pouring into the Palestinian territory to show support. Though it has been
branded a terror group by Israel and the United States, it was treated as an equal partner with

2. Israel during indirect cease-fire talks in Egypt. In those talks, it secured a commitment for the
freer movement of people and goods into and out of Gaza. Hamas also proved its ability to fire
rockets as far as Tel Aviv and Jerusalem despite being battered with airstrikes. As the Arab
Spring brings Islamists to power across the region, Hamas' influence is on the rise.
PALESTINIAN PRESIDENT MAHMOUD ABBAS AND FATAH
Abbas, who lost control of Gaza to Hamas five years ago, might be the biggest loser. He had no
seat in the cease-fire negotiations and was largely sidelined during the crisis. Hamas' ability to
stand up to Israel and survive could also diminish Palestinians' patience with their president's so
far fruitless efforts to push for a negotiated solution to the conflict with Israel. Abbas' Western-
backed government only rules in the West Bank, and his dreams of reconciling the rival
Palestinian territories seems more elusive than ever.
EGYPTIAN PRESIDENT MOHAMMED MORSI
The former Muslim Brotherhood leading figure emerged from his first major international crisis
with enhanced prestige and proved his government can mediate between the two sworn enemies,
something the United States cannot do because it considers Hamas a terrorist organization and
doesn't allow contacts between its members and American officials. Egypt's sponsorship of the
cease-fire ensures Morsi a central role in the future of the region.
THE UNITED STATES
While the Obama administration has sought to refocus its foreign policy on Asia, the Gaza
fighting forced it to turn back to a conflict it has sought to move past. US Secretary of State
Hillary Clinton's last-minute shuttle diplomacy might have strengthened a US-Egyptian
partnership that has been strained in the 21 months since Egyptians toppled autocratic ruler
Hosni Mubarak. After a first term characterized by repeated failures in forging Israeli-Palestinian
peace, the US role in supporting the cease-fire could signal renewed American engagement in
the region. A US commitment to help stop arms smuggling to Gaza may also help repair
Obama's strained relationship with Netanyahu.