The war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza has reached a fateful juncture. Last week’s breakdown of a seven-day “pause” in the fighting has been swiftly followed by resumed Israeli bombardment, targeting all areas of the territory, and by renewed Hamas attacks. The collapse of the truce, deplorable and avoidable in itself, has potential to spark violence and suffering on a level surpassing even that of recent weeks. Israel says it plans to take the war deep into the heart of southern Gaza, where up to 2 million people are trapped. Hamas’s leaders, pledged to Israel’s destruction, show no sign of ending their resistance.
The resumption of hostilities has dashed hopes that Antony Blinken, the US secretary of state, who visited Israel last week, would persuade the two sides to prolong the pause or even make it permanent. It means the horrendous humanitarian crisis inside Gaza will inevitably worsen. Aid agencies and the UN say the health system has all but imploded and food, clean water and other basics are desperately short. It means aid deliveries from Egypt are being disrupted again and the releases of hostages and prisoners, which brought limited joy last week, will cease.
