Gaza ceasefire deal brings relief but little hope of durable peace

Israeli military and intelligence services are reported to have backed deal but are clearly committed to continuing efforts to ‘crush’ Hamas

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Very many people – in Israel, the occupied territories, the Middle East and well beyond – will feel immense relief at the news of a ceasefire and hostage deal.

But the provisional nature of the pause in the Israeli offensive into Gaza combined with the number of captives remaining with Hamas mean any hopes of a definitive end to hostilities remain tragically slender.