De-escalation or forever war? After Israel's drawdown from southern Gaza

Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu insists his forces will make a move for the southernmost city of Rafah, despite strong objections from the United States, which is now pressing for a ceasefire and a ramping-up of desperately needed humanitarian aid for Palestinian civilians.

Last week's killing of seven aid workers gave the international community a startling insight into all that's gone wrong with Israel's Gaza strategy. And while indirect truce negotiations continue at a low simmer, Netanyahu continues to promise the total eradication of Hamas.

So what is to stop there being another six months of war?

Produced by Alessandro Xenos, Rebecca Gnignati and Guillaume Gougeon.

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