Endless Cycle

The resumption of Israeli ground operations in Gaza and counter-attacks by Hamas mark a sobering juncture in a conflict that shows little sign of resolution.

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After weeks of a tenuous ceasefire, hostilities have erupted with renewed ferocity. The Israeli military has re-entered the Palestinian territory with ground forces, complementing an already devastating air campaign that, by some accounts, has killed hundreds in a matter of days. Once again, ordinary civilians are caught in the middle, paying the highest price as the machinery of war rolls on. At the heart of this escalation lies a fundamental impasse. Israel is determined to eliminate the threat posed by Hamas, to retrieve its remaining hostages, and to create what it calls a "buffer" between the north and south of Gaza. Hamas, in turn, continues to resist, refusing to acquiesce to terms it views as surrender. It has responded with rocket fire into Israel, showing that its ability to strike back - however limited ~ remains intact. Both sides are entre