A week can be a long time in war. Until July 27th there was growing optimism that Israel and Hamas were close to a ceasefire that would halt their ten-month conflict.
Diplomats and spies from four countries planned to hash out the details at a meeting in Rome. Antony Blinken, America’s secretary of state, said the talks were “inside the ten-yard line.” Israelis and Palestinians might not have followed the American-football metaphor, but many shared his sentiment.
Then a rocket fired from Lebanon killed 12 children on a football pitch in the Golan Heights.…
