The war in Gaza, with all its horrors, is approaching the end of its second year, making it the longest and deadliest confrontation in the history of the Arab-Israeli conflict.

Why has the Gaza war lasted this long?

Every side in the war has declared victory. Donald Trump announced the US attack with 14 bunker-busting bombs and the destruction of three Iranian nuclear facilities, before calling for a peace deal.

Iran makes threats, but it will not act. It will not mine the Strait of Hormuz or block it by bombing passing ships. This scenario would backfire and primarily harm China — the largest buyer of Gulf oil, which would lose 4 million barrels a day.

It has been about 150 days since Joseph Aoun and Nawaf Salam took office. On the one hand, Lebanon is experiencing its best chapter in two decades. On the other hand, there are concerns about the slow pace of progress — and that another war is on the verge of erupting.