The first phase of the Gaza war-ending prisoner exchange deal is being realized, and each party can freely claim victory in such a deal. Despite the ambiguity of the deal’s terms, analysts see this ambiguity as a key element of success, agreeing on major headlines first and discussing details later, with everyone saying “yes” to intentions and negotiating dynamics afterward. This constructive ambiguity did not prevent some from identifying winners and losers based on what is happening on the ground.

Winners:

The primary winner of this deal is the Palestinian people, who endured the harshness of war and paid a heavy price with the best of their sons, yet remained steadfast and did not chase false promises of a better life outside Palestine. The Israeli war machine broke upon the rock of Palestinian will, and the dreams of the Israeli right-wing to forcibly displace them and replace them with settlers with no right to the land were shattered.

Egypt won by upholding the values of constructive dialogue and siding with peaceful and rational solutions to conflicts over military ones, standing as a strong barrier against all Israeli government attempts and its allies to convince it of displacement as a viable solution to end the war. Egypt reinforced its regional status as a significant power characterized by patience and steadfastness, refusing to be dragged by terrorists and extremists. This cemented national security values in the Egyptian consciousness without abandoning the Palestinians for a moment. It strengthened its position in the Palestinian consciousness as a true supporter and ally.

The public in European and American arenas won by supporting the values of justice and the oppressed, which made governments yield and suspend arms agreements and vote in favor of recognizing the State of Palestine. Europe won after the public imposed the question of ethics in the 21st century on postmodern societies, rejecting the treatment of Netanyahu as Churchill or Charles de Gaulle regardless of his attempts to emulate them. The Israeli army, which starved civilians, bombed their homes, and detonated explosives in residential neighborhoods, schools, and hospitals, cannot represent the values of the free liberal world. Those boycotting American and Israeli products made in settlements also won; without this economic pressure, more than 1,200 Israeli businessmen would not have migrated to a more moderate and stable environment.

International law and the International Criminal Court won by affirming that this world is not ruled by the law of the jungle, nor is it dominated by chaos that allows killers and massacre perpetrators to escape accountability. The United Nations General Assembly won with the withdrawal of 77 countries from the hall as Netanyahu took the podium, as the world is tired of hearing lies and does not wish to participate in a circus aimed at justifying massacres against unarmed civilians. The UN also won by affirming its role as an effective international body responsible for intervening in political conflicts and providing urgent solutions that do not conflict with its charter or international law.

Losers:

The Palestinian people lost many of their best sons and daughters, their resources, institutions, universities, and infrastructure but did not lose hope for a better future. Palestinians will continue to count their losses for many years after this insane war. The Palestinian Authority lost much of its presence and status both popularly and regionally due to sluggishness, yawning responses, and relying on repetitive, dull statements lacking novelty, resorting to spokespeople lacking the skill to read public mood. Israel weakened it and there was no desire to create real pressure tools or effective plans to create space for action instead of mere reaction.

Israel lost its alleged image as the sole regional democratic power in the midst of Third World countries. The image Israel tried to falsely establish for years in global consciousness dissipated, becoming for millions the state that used food as a weapon against civilians and children, bombed hospitals, schools, universities, and residential areas in the 21st century, thus becoming a pariah state unwanted at any political, cultural, or artistic event. This image will remain engraved in millions’ minds for many years. Israel will also need to recover from its internal disasters, including loss of personal security, loss of trust in the government, deep political and social rifts, and damage to the economy, army, and judiciary. The right-wing government turned Israel into an internationally ostracized and internally fragmented state, closer to a banana republic ruled by a tyrant and a group of profiteers.

Benjamin Netanyahu lost by defying his people’s calls and the international community’s desire to end this war, ending up wanted by the International Criminal Court, ostracized internationally, and without a political future to rely on. Netanyahu completely aligned with the far right, appearing as a puppet with no control, causing him to lose much of the centrist electoral base and possibly facing challenges within the Likud party primaries soon. The boos and denunciations that interrupted US envoy Steve Whitaker’s speech whenever Netanyahu’s name was mentioned painted the final scene fitting Netanyahu’s permanent exit from the political scene, an exit he may try to arrange one last time: a general pardon for his corruption cases in exchange for his withdrawal from Israeli politics. Netanyahu exits the political scene humbly and defeated.

Internationally, the United States, Germany, Hungary, Ukraine, the Gaza Humanitarian Aid Fund, and influencers who received $7,000 per post supporting Israel lost, while Greta Thunberg was the winner.