If the prime minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, possessed anything like the qualities of statesmanship demanded at a moment such as this, he would by now have seized the offer of a peace deal from Hamas, agreed a ceasefire, begun the long and difficult process of winding down the pitiless war in Gaza and, of enormous immediate benefit, secured the return of about half the remaining 20 hostages thought to still be alive, as well as the bodies of others.
The worst sufferings of the families affected would be that much closer to a conclusion – and the much wider pain and hardship, including hunger, being endured by innocent Palestinian civilians would also be relieved.
