Pleas to end the suffering in Gaza are growing louder, but neither side actually wants a ceasefire | Nicholas Westcott

Israel's stated war aim is to destroy Hamas; Hamas wants Israel to commit such barbarities in response to its attack that it loses international support

International calls for a ceasefire in Gaza are growing louder as the scale of destruction and humanitarian suffering visited on its population becomes ever clearer. Others, including the UN, call for at least a humanitarian pause". Is either likely? And could they pave the way to peace?

Ceasefires, like peace processes, only work when both belligerents are either willing or can be persuaded to accept one and stick to it. In Gaza, this looks unlikely. In Syria in 2015-16 and in Sudan this year, similar attempts have failed dismally. In Ethiopia, a ceasefire with Tigray was achieved only after the two sides had fought each other to a standstill, at the cost of tens of thousands of lives.

Nicholas Westcott is professor of practice in diplomacy at Soas University of London and former managing director for the Middle East in the EU's European External Action Service