The Middle East must step back from the brink
That still means starting with a ceasefire in Gaza
![Hamas members stand next to a poster of Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh during a protest to condemn his killing](https://www.economist.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1424,quality=80,format=auto/content-assets/images/20240803_LDP502.jpg)
A WEEK can be a long time in war. Until July 27th there was growing optimism that Israel and Hamas were close to a ceasefire that would halt their ten-month conflict. Diplomats and spies from four countries planned to hash out the details at a meeting in Rome. Antony Blinken, America’s secretary of state, said the talks were “inside the ten-yard line”. Israelis and Palestinians might not have followed the American-football metaphor, but many shared his sentiment.
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