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.

Arab mediators are working to reach a new Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal that would secure the release of 12 living hostages out of the 24 still believed to be held alive by Hamas in Gaza.