Michael Crowley
When US President Donald Trump hosted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House in early April, a reporter reminded Trump that his 2024 campaign promise to end the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza remained unfulfilled.
Israel had recently broken a tenuous ceasefire in its 18-month war with Hamas and renewed its bombardment of Gaza. But Trump professed optimism.
“I’d like to see the war stop,” he replied. “And I think the war will stop at some point that won’t be in the too-distant future.”
One month later, prospects for peace in Gaza have dimmed even further.
Netanyahu late on Monday (AEDT) warned of an “intensive” Israeli escalation in the Palestinian enclave after his security cabinet approved plans to call up tens of thousands of reservists for a fresh assault.
Israeli hawks insist that only force can pressure Hamas into finally releasing the more than 20 hostages it still holds captive and end the conflict. But many analysts say a major Israeli escalation could kill any hope left for peace.
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