Eight months and counting: How to get Israel and Hamas to seal ceasefire deal?

The Debate

When Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, everyone knew war would follow. But few probably expected it to last eight long months in one of the world's most densely populated areas. Will the latest hopes of a truce once again be dashed? Critics contend that for leaders on both sides, managing a war is easier than ending it. After all, they run the risk of being held to account once it's over.

Yet this time, could outside pressure finally bear fruit? The opposition is quitting Israel's war cabinet. That gives Binyamin Netanyahu and his far-right coalition free rein, but also full responsibility.

There is also the UN Security Council, which doesn't agree on anything these days, agreeing on a US ceasefire resolution. Can Netanyahu stick to his guns and can Hamas continue to hold innocent hostages in urban areas with no regard to the dangers exposed on innocent civilians all around? More broadly, how to finally get a deal over the line?

Produced by Alessandro Xenos, Rebecca Gnignati and Juliette Brown.