Time has run out for Gaza and for all those forced to endure the apocalyptic hell that is the remains of the besieged Strip.
The only way to save the lives of the remaining Palestinian civilians as well as the hostages and captives held by Hamas militants is an immediate ceasefire. Followed by unfettered access to massive amounts of aid.
But from multiple conversations with foreign diplomats, sources close to all sides and people on the ground, it seems there are only two ways to get there.
First, is a powerful enough rebellion from within Israel, where near-daily protests are taking place against prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s decision to expand operations and pursue a boots-on-the-ground occupation of Gaza City.
Second would be if US President Donald Trump, Israel’s greatest ally and largest provider of weapons, decides to intervene.
Which, so far, he has resolutely chosen not to do.
The Israeli government has presented and doubled down on its five main conditions for immediately ending the war. Hamas must release all the remaining 50 hostages and disarm, while the Strip must be demilitarised and come under full Israeli security control.
Israel has also said that neither Hamas militant group nor the Palestinian Authority which anchored in the occupied West Bank and recognised internationally, would be permitted to be part of Gaza’s future governing body.
But even with these conditions, Netanyahu’s military objectives to conquer Gaza City will not budge and must come first, according to sources briefed on his government’s position. This is also the fear of the majority of the families of the hostages.
As Israeli daily Haaretz reports: Netanyahu is in no hurry to advance a major move because “the perpetuation of the present situation serves him politically”. “This is why that for as long as no real American pressure is directed at Netanyahu to end the fighting, no apparent signs of a deal will be seen.”
And so people briefed on attempts at truce negotiations have repeatedly told me that it is deliberately impossible to demand Hamas agree to these five conditions with nothing really promised in return – especially while on the ground, Israel advances military and ramps up its 22-month bombardment.
This is especially true given statements by the likes of Netanyahu’s extreme-right finance minister Bezalel Smotrich, who says the aim of the new offensive is “the conquest of the Gaza Strip and the holding of the territories”, for Gaza to “be entirely destroyed”, and that Palestinians must leave “in great numbers to third countries”.
This language, implying war crimes, has such disturbing implications that it has been condemned by the UK’s now former foreign secretary, David Lammy, who was due to go to Qatar, UAE and Saudi Arabia next week. Any UK deputation, sent in his place, will no doubt try to discuss with Doha, which has been a main mediator, any route towards a ceasefire.
The UK and other European states are under increasing pressure to take further action, including lobbying Mr Trump, imposing their own arms embargo on Israel, and cancelling trade deals.
