The second was Israel’s history of decision-making, particularly when it comes to Palestinians: Phased deals don’t usually work. Case in point is the phased, conditional Oslo peace process during the 1990s that Palestinians saw as a path to an eventual Palestinian state and a permanent end to the conflict, neither of which materialized.

Israel’s political and military leaders are considering plans for a fresh ground campaign that could include a military occupation of Gaza for months or more.

Following the end of the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, Israeli military launched attacks in southern Gaza and claimed to have killed a senior Hamas official. Israel also attacked Hezbollah in Lebanon in a retaliation for a rocket attack.