Everyone is too busy with the US elections to pay much attention to our local war. There are a few exceptions. quite a few Lebanese are looking for a way to get out. Southern Lebanon is being abandoned. The back and forth shooting continues, but there are perceptions on both sides that Israel is getting more and more likely to move. The IAF has been hitting more missile launchers and storage sites (and the supply line from Iran via Syria). This could be a hint that they are preparing to limit damage before moving against Hezbollah on the ground. Nobody is talking seriously about hostage release deals (with the possible exception of some deluded American officials). The IDF just concluded a major operation to ensure there will be no distractions from the West Bank. The Israeli public seems fed up with Netanyahu making excuses while the north of Israel is under fire every day.
Sooner or later someone is going to wake up to the fact that Hamas is holding 101 Israelis, but most of them are dead bodies. The Israeli move might include closing down UNRWA in Gaza, or cutting off humanitarian aid that is not being distributed by Israeli controlled groups (so far, none exist). The potential scenarios are almost endless. But it looks to me like none of them involve yielding anything else to Hamas. Israel needs to make it’s own ‘take it or leave it’ offer and then act accordingly. I would not be surprised to see something like that, but I bet the Americans, and Hamas, would be.
Wetherhorn 