Hamas refusal to agree to a US proposal for an extension of the ceasefire in Gaza is given by Israeli prime minister Binyamin Netanyahu as his reason for returning to all-out war.

The Muslim world has added its considerable weight to the plan adopted by the Arab summit for the reconstruction of Gaza while Palestinians remain in the strip.

Times are changing attitudes and not in Israel's favour. Changes in public opinion are even being registered in Israel's intimate ally, the US where 21 per cent of adults sympathise with Palestinians as compared to 31 per cent with Israelis.

During last week's visit to the region, Trump administration envoy Steve Witkoff has been tasked with extending the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire which stalled last weekend when Israel refused to release 602 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for six Israeli prisoners freed by

The Trump administration has delivered a shipment of 900-kilogram bombs to Israel despite the pause imposed by President Joe Biden in May due to the use of these bunker busters in heavy populated neighbourhoods.

 Donald Trump has gone rogue during the first days of his second residence in the White House. His executive decrees have upset US global relations and threaten US short, medium and long-term interests.Trumps’ actions have unsettled this already tense region.

It is to be expected that the Hamas-Israel ceasefire and captive exchange will not proceed as planned.

The appearance of fighters sporting face masks and the green headband band of Hamas during Sunday’s hand-over of three Israeli women hostages out of 98 women, men and child captives served as a reminder that the movement has not been eliminated.

The fate of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees, UNRWA, is uncertain as US-President-elect Donald Trump begins his second term in office next week . Last November the Israeli Knesset adopted a law which prohibits all contacts and cooperation with UNRWA.