Jeremy Bowen: Two years on, will Israel and Hamas seize the chance to end the war?
20 hours ago Share Save Jeremy Bowen International editor, Jerusalem Share Save
Anadolu via Getty Images Israel's devastating military response to the 7 October attacks has destroyed most of Gaza
After two years of war, there is a chance of a deal that will end the killing and destruction in Gaza and return the Israeli hostages, living and dead, to their families. It is an opportunity, but it is not certain that it will be seized by Hamas and Israel. It is a grim coincidence that the talks are happening exactly two years after Hamas inflicted a trauma on Israelis that is still acute. The 7 October attacks killed around 1,200 people, mostly Israeli civilians, and 251 were taken hostage. The Israelis estimate that 20 hostages are still alive and they want the return of the bodies of 28 others. Israel's devastating military response has destroyed most of Gaza and killed more than 66,000 Palestinians, mostly civilians and including more than 18,000 children. The figures come from the health ministry that is part of the remains of the Hamas administration.
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