Jeremy Bowen

With Russia grinding forward on the battlefields of eastern Ukraine, this is the toughest moment Volodymyr Zelensky has faced since the dark and desperate first months of the war. It is also a moment of decision for Ukraine's Western European allies. President Trump is forcing them to face up to the gross disparity between their military promises to Ukraine and their military capabilities.

The Europeans need to make tough decisions that cannot be put off much longer.

The Europeans need to make tough decisions that cannot be put off much longer.

In the streets of Hanunis in Gaza, overwhelming relief that they are alive and hope, too, that the nightmare of this war might be over.

In the streets of Hanunis in Gaza, overwhelming relief that they are alive and hope, too, that the nightmare of this war might be over.

Some weapons, some defiance were on show, but Hamas is a shadow of what it was when it attacked Israel on the 7th of October, 2023. And in Tel Aviv, it is also a bittersweet moment for the families and supporters of Israeli hostages, living and dead. 33 women, older men and the sick and wounded are due for release in the next six weeks in return for hundreds of Palestinian detainees and prisoners.

Some weapons, some defiance were on show, but Hamas is a shadow of what it was when it attacked Israel on the 7th of October, 2023. And in Tel Aviv, it is also a bittersweet moment for the families and supporters of Israeli hostages, living and dead. 33 women, older men and the sick and wounded are due for release in the next six weeks in return for hundreds of Palestinian detainees and prisoners.

But the future of the rest of the hostages depends on more negotiations.

But the future of the rest of the hostages depends on more negotiations.

In Washington, President Biden took credit for a diplomatic victory, celebrated America's support for Israel and said the war had transformed the Middle East for the better.

In Washington, President Biden took credit for a diplomatic victory, celebrated America's support for Israel and said the war had transformed the Middle East for the better.

With Gaza in ruins, the president's point that the Palestinians have a path to their own state is wishful thinking. Israel's government says security depends on military power, not allowing Palestinian independence. After 15 months of war in Gaza, the conflict, which has lasted more than a century, is as bitter and intractable as ever. With luck, the ceasefire will end this war.

With Gaza in ruins, the president's point that the Palestinians have a path to their own state is wishful thinking. Israel's government says security depends on military power, not allowing Palestinian independence. After 15 months of war in Gaza, the conflict, which has lasted more than a century, is as bitter and intractable as ever. With luck, the ceasefire will end this war.

It does not end the conflict. the consequences of so much destruction and death will be felt for a generation at least.

It does not end the conflict. the consequences of so much destruction and death will be felt for a generation at least.

The ceasefire is a considerable achievement. It is long overdue. Versions of the deal have been on the table since May last year. Hamas and Israel have blamed each other for the delays. Israel's response to the Hamas attacks on the 7th of October 2023 that killed around 1,200 people, mostly Israeli civilians, has left Gaza in ruins.

The ceasefire is a considerable achievement. It is long overdue. Versions of the deal have been on the table since May last year. Hamas and Israel have blamed each other for the delays. Israel's response to the Hamas attacks on the 7th of October 2023 that killed around 1,200 people, mostly Israeli civilians, has left Gaza in ruins.

Most of Gaza's population of well over 2 million has been displaced. According to the Hamas-run health ministry, Israeli attacks have killed almost 50,000 people, both combatants and civilians. A recent study in the Lancet medical journal says that might be a major underestimate. The first big challenge is making sure that the ceasefire holds.

Most of Gaza's population of well over 2 million has been displaced. According to the Hamas-run health ministry, Israeli attacks have killed almost 50,000 people, both combatants and civilians. A recent study in the Lancet medical journal says that might be a major underestimate. The first big challenge is making sure that the ceasefire holds.

Senior Western diplomats fear that after the first phase of 42 days, the war could resume. The Gaza war has had immense consequences across the Middle East. It did not, as many feared, lead to a general war in the region. The Biden administration has claimed credit for that, but it has led to geostrategic upheaval. Hamas is still able to fight, but it's a shadow of what it was.