The ceasefire talks appear to have gone nowhere despite multiple rounds of discussions and American pressure. In return for a staggered release of Israeli hostages, they are said to be seeking a permanent cessation of fighting in Gaza by the Israel Defence Forces (idf) and potentially a complete exit by it from the enclave, among other things. For Israel and probably America too, that is a non-starter. Between US and Israel who is the superpower because Israel is defying American orders ?

