Much of the diplomacy around the Israel-Hamas war has had a Kafkaesaque quality. A case in point was US president Joe Biden’s announcement last week that, following intensive talks, ‘Israel has offered a comprehensive new proposal’ for ‘a roadmap to an enduring ceasefire and the release of all hostages’. The main elements of this proposed three-phase roadmap are: a complete ceasefire including the release of some hostages, a permanent end to hostilities and a major reconstruction plan for Gaza.
