LAST NOVEMBER, Israel and Hamas agreed on a one week ceasefire in Gaza. During that time, Hamas released 105 hostages and Israel released 240 Palestinian prisoners, and Israel allowed more humanitarian aid to enter the besieged enclave. There was hope among key mediators who had helped secure the deal that the temporary ceasefire would turn into a permanent one. “We are trying to build trust and goodwill to open the door for a long-term peace,” an Egyptian official involved in the negotiations told The Wall Street Journal. However, the temporary truce ultimately expired at the end of the week, and despite repeated rounds of attempted negotiations, there has not been another. ….more
