Israeli Leaders Debate Cease-Fire While Fighting Continues In Gaza

With some movement toward a resumption of Gaza cease-fire talks and an Israeli delegation having traveled for preliminary discussion with Qatari mediators, Israeli leaders jockeyed for position over what the nation might find acceptable.  Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on July 7 that any deal must allow Israel to keep fighting until it achieves its war objectives. He said it must prohibit weapons smuggling to Hamas via the Gaza Strip’s Egyptian border, and block the return to northern Gaza of thousands of armed terrorists.  Two of Mr. Netanyahu’s right-wing coalition partners have said they would quit the coalition, potentially bringing down the government, if the war ends before Israel has eradicated Hamas and freed the hostages....