As the terrible images from Gaza stream in, it is hard to escape the feeling the situation may get worse. And in fact, writes Tony Walker, we’ve been here before: in 1987 and again in 2000, when violence in the occupied territories spread into Israel itself.

But as the casualties mount up, there are many questions and no simple answers. In part, Walker says, what happens next depends on the level of violence Israel is prepared to inflict on Hamas, but also how tolerant Hamas is willing to be of Israeli airstrikes and artillery fire. The deaths of an extended Palestinian family whose house was destroyed by an Israeli airstrike is a terrible reminder of the fallout when weapons of war are used in civilian areas. Walker writes: “This is the reality of a population held hostage to an unresolved — and possibly unresolvable — conflict involving Palestinians living under occupation”.

And Anthony Billingsley sets out why diplomatic efforts are falling on deaf ears.