The second was Israel’s history of decision-making, particularly when it comes to Palestinians: Phased deals don’t usually work. Case in point is the phased, conditional Oslo peace process during the 1990s that Palestinians saw as a path to an eventual Palestinian state and a permanent end to the conflict, neither of which materialized.

It is unclear whether Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s plan is to pressure Hamas until it agrees to compromise on the hostage deal or if he is now heading toward resuming the war until Hamas is defeated.

Israel launched massive airstrikes across Gaza early Tuesday, two months after the first phase of the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas went into effect.