Any neutral observer can readily see the dilemmas that Israel is facing at this juncture – on the one hand the impelling task of finding the whereabouts of the remaining hostages who have been in captivity since 7 October and possibly freeing them. And on the other hand continuing the war against Hamas cost what it costs.

Hence the incessant bombing and consequently the massacre of Palestinians especially children.

This looks like being a long drawn out war until either there would be no Hamas leaders left to be killed. Or the entire world would have risen in protest. As Emmanuel Macron said, Israel does have a right to exist but this does not mean it can flatten the Palestinians.

On the other hand there is Hamas and there are the Gazans. The continuing forensic examination of the buildings hit by the Israeli raids has shown schools used to hide rocket launchers and similarly hospitals. The elaborate tunnel network, still not fully explored, was built by funds intended for other, peaceful, aims.

There is, if we can say so, a sort of reverse osmosis between the Gazans and Hamas. It is true Hamas came to power in a democratic election held many years ago after which no other election was held but it is also true that survey after survey has shown massive support for Hamas even after so much bombing and mass killing.

You even get outspoken defenders of the Palestinians who say they cannot stomach the Gazans.

At some point area after area of Gaza would have been “cleaned up” by the Israeli army. What will happen then? Will these areas become Israeli enclaves? Will the Gazan residents be allowed back to what remains of their homes? Will they be allowed to stay?

Will Gaza 2 become like the West Bank? It has been noted that the West Bank, except for some sporadic incidents, did not follow up the 7 October uprising with one of its own.

The West Bank suffered and is still suffering. Bethlehem, for instance, would have been ‘en fête ‘these Christmas days. Instead, it is shuttered up.

Apart from finding the remaining hostages, the task facing the Israeli army is quite a formidable one. How to do this and avoid massacres is not easy at all.

I watch the live feeds from outside hospitals in Gaza, the massive crowds ambling around. It is difficult to understand how two and a half million can squeeze in in an area the size of Malta. It is more difficult to understand how these two and a half million can then be squeezed in an area the size of half Malta.

And it is difficult to imagine even how these families with children can endure a cold winter in flimsy tents without being left with an enduring hatred of Israel.

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