Pressure from the right is to blame

THE shattering of the Gaza ceasefire was expected but is nevertheless appalling news for Palestinians in the Strip and the remaining hostages.

- CHRIS HUGHES

Prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has bowed to immense pressure from the right wing and ignored Israelis who put hostage releases above everything else.

But the truth is that the fragile ceasefire has been clinging to life ever since it came officially to an end early this month.

Hamas wanted talks on the agreed second phase of the deal, in which all of the hostages would be released in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.

Netanyahu's negotiators wanted an extension of phase one and there was a disagreement over the presence of Israeli troops.