My Confusion

Why is Israel not talking?

Hamas wants to talk. They want a temporary cease-fire. Who cares if they're on the run; who cares if they're just buying time to regroup; who cares if it might be a ploy. Israel's not going to militarily press a tactical advantage to the extent it would need for any Hamas weakness to be decisive; they couldn't if they tried. They don't have to agree to a ceasefire; they don't have to agree to anything; they don't have to give an inch. No one can force it. But there's an offer to talk.

Why not talk? The downside is tiny; the upside is unlikely but great. The minor fallout from not talking is probably as bad as the worst-case-scenario if they do sit down at a table. That's all they have to do...and they don't even have to do much talking. They can just listen, and talk if they want to.

Why not sit down?

There are a lot of policies I don't support, but this one I barely understand. Israel has a formerly implacable foe willing to talk, possibly willing to do things like recognize their right to exist and get on board with a two-state solution.

JUST TALK. That's how things get done. With words, behind closed doors. They don't have to change a single thing they're doing...just send a few people with authority to a meeting or two and see what happens.

(Also, the United States should be helping, not hindering, a dialogue between interested parties. "You want to talk on neutral ground? Come to Camp David.")

Israel, just talk.