Its military leaders insist they are ready and Benjamin Netanyahu has his finger on the trigger, but he has not pulled it.
The Israeli prime minister gave a speech this week that sounded like a rallying cry for a ground assault, but it was carefully drafted, committing to nothing specific and saying the place and manner of any attack would be "determined unanimously" by the war cabinet and the army commanders.
Whatever happens, Netanyahu -down in the polls and widely blamed for allowing the 7 October attack by Hamas to happen - is making sure he does not take sole responsibility for whatever comes next. He knows there is no unanimity in the Israeli leadership.
"It's not just the military versus Netanyahu. The division is within the war cabinet and within the military," said Alon Pinkas, a former Israeli diplomat.
There has been no shortage of reasons to delay the assault. Many in the security establishment, supported by the US, want to give more time to efforts to extricate more than 200 hostages from Gaza.
The US also reportedly needed breathing space to bring in more munitions to defend its bases in the region in anticipation of a response from its enemies and their Tehran backers. The Israel Defence Forces (IDF), meanwhile, are using the time to train reservists in urban warfare and top up their arsenal.
The pause has given Israel time to reconsider its war aims and its ability to achieve them. The initial impetus to charge into Gaza was based on a desire for quick retribution and the generals' quest for redemption after such an appalling lapse on 7 October.
US military leaders have been reportedly shocked at the vagueness of Israeli planning, the blithe optimism about the urban warfare it faced, and the wishful thinking about Gaza's future post Hamas. "The Americans have their doubts," Pinkas said. "And what they are questioning is the quality of Israeli decision-making.
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة October 28, 2023 من The Guardian.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة October 28, 2023 من The Guardian.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
Pension funds Can chancellor win investment boost with 'megafund'?
What is Rachel Reeves planning?
'I'd pay to play the Ryder Cup': McIlroy's barb at US fee plan
Rory McIlroy says he would pay to play in the Ryder Cup after it emerged that US team members could receive $400,000 each for competing against Europe in New York next year.
Borthwick denies feeling pressure to end losing streak
Steve Borthwick has insisted he is well equipped to block out the pressure of England's current plight after Rassie Erasmus suggested he is under the pump and may feel like he \"has a gun against his head\".
St Pauli quit X and hit out at 'hate machine'
St Pauli have become the first major football club to leave X, describing the social media site as a \"hate machine\", and expressing concern that it may influence the outcome of the forthcoming German election.
Scotland must revamp youth development to keep up, says Clarke
Head coach believes change must come from top as he prepares to face Croatia
Carsley relief as new-look England seize control of their destiny
It was the night when Lee Carsley dropped Harry Kane and came up smelling of roses, this a result not only to avenge the shapeless 2-1 Wembley defeat against Greece in October but to put England on the brink of automatic promotion back into the Nations League's A section.
'I like these challenges, I like being in constant change'
Mayra Ramírez has been on a steep learning curve since moving to Chelsea from Spain in January but would not have it any other way, she tells Suzanne Wrack
Thousands back fight for girls' toilets at local clubs
A coach has sparked a grassroots movement to improve inclusivity in football: by demanding that toilets are opened for girls.
Tyson happy for money to talk amid mayhem
Despite all the hype, veteran knows there is nothing new to say before the charade of his fight with a YouTube star
Raducanu in discussions to hire renowned fitness trainer Nakamura
Former US Open champion has struggled with series of injuries throughout career
