Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has declared that a cease-fire in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Gaza will only be possible if all 239 hostages held by militants in Gaza are released. This runs counter to post-war scenarios floated by the United States, and has caused immense destruction and displacement in the region, with 600,000 people displaced and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo urging both sides to come to the negotiating table. It remains to be seen whether Netanyahu's conditions for a cease-fire will be accepted.
