Here's a look at why it is so hard to end the war in Gaza

By JOSEPH KRAUSS, Associated Press

Israel is on the brink of launching another major offensive , this time in famine-stricken Gaza City .

The international community, along with nearly all Palestinians and many Israelis , wanted the war to end a long time ago — and a ceasefire seemed possible as recently as last month. So why is the conflict set to become even bloodier, nearly two years after Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack ?

Critics of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accuse him of prolonging the war for political reasons. Netanyahu blames Hamas, which still holds around 20 living hostages, and says criticism of Israel’s wartime conduct is only making the group more intransigent. Hamas has been designated as a terrorist organization by the United States, Canada and the European