A series of meetings in Cairo and Doha have led to renewed optimism about the prospect of a deal between Israel and Hamas, the Palestinian Islamists in Gaza, ending the war there after over 14 months. A number of factors, including a ceasefire in Lebanon and the fall of the Assad regime in Syria, which have isolated Hamas, and pressure on Israel from Donald Trump, who would like to take credit for a deal, have brought new flexibility on both sides. But Israel’s military presence in Gaza and the question of the release of 100 Israeli hostages remain obstacles. A truce of some weeks will probably precede a longer-term ceasefire.■