2024-08-06
5 分钟The Economist. Hi, it's Alice Su.
I co-host Strong Tower, our weekly podcast on China.
Here's an article handpicked from the latest edition of The Economist read out loud.
I thought you might enjoy it.
Until July 27,
there was growing optimism that Israel and Hamas were close to a ceasefire that would halt their 10-month conflict.
Diplomats and spies from four countries planned to hash out the details at a meeting in Rome.
Anthony Blinken, America's Secretary of State,
said the talks were inside the 10-yard line.
Israelis and Palestinians might not have followed the American football metaphor,
but many shared his sentiment.
Then a rocket fired from Lebanon killed 12 children on a football pitch in the Golan Heights.
Israel retaliated by bombing Beirut's southern suburbs to assassinate one of Hezbollah's most senior commanders.
Hours later, it killed Ismail Haniyeh,
the leader of Hamas, in a surprise strike on Tehran.
Hopes for a ceasefire then gave way to fears of a bigger regional war.
Those fears may not yet be realized.
Iran has vowed a response for Mr. Haniye's killing,
but it will probably be reluctant to go to war on behalf of Hamas.
Israel and Hezbollah are likewise keen to avoid an all-out barrage of missiles,