Buried under all the screaming U.S. headlines is this story which I only came across on the NYT Israeli Generals, Low on Munitions Want a Truce in Gaza.
Israel’s military leadership wants a cease-fire with Hamas in case a bigger war breaks out in Lebanon, security officials say. It has also concluded that a truce would be the swiftest way to free hostage
...the military fears a “forever war” in which its energies and ammunition are gradually eroded even as the hostages remain captive and Hamas leaders are still at large. In the face of that scenario, keeping Hamas in power for now in exchange for getting the hostages back seems like the least worst option for Israel, said Mr. Hulata. Four senior officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity agreed.
“they have less munitions, less spare parts, less energy than they did before,,,”
The military is finally acknowledging that “defeating Hamas” and rescuing the hostages are “mutually incompatible”. I think common sense told most of us that months and months and thousands of dead ago.