| Welcome to Balance of Power, bringing you the latest in global politics. If you haven’t yet, sign up here. An international consensus is emerging that Israel’s war against Hamas — its assaults on Gaza and withholding of aid — must stop. Joint condemnations by allies, including the UK, France and Canada, and more threatening ones from countries like Spain speaking for the European Union, aim to force Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to negotiate an end to combat and relief for the enclave’s 2 million inhabitants amid UN reports of impending starvation. A new Israeli military operation, as announced by Netanyahu, “makes no sense except to turn Gaza into a graveyard,” said Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares. “And that’s something the international community cannot allow.” CNN reported US officials had new intelligence suggesting Israel is making preparations for a potential strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities. This comes in the middle of nuclear negotiations between the Trump administration and Tehran. There’s little reason to believe an attack is imminent — and some reason to suspect it’s a US leak to pressure Iran as its leadership starts to publicly cast doubt on the talks being successful. But the growing fear that Netanyahu could opt for military action nudged up oil prices.  Protesters calling for the boycott of Israeli-affiliate products and corporations in Jakarta, Indonesia. Photographer: Agoes Rudianto/Getty Images Disillusionment with Netanyahu is also growing within Israel. Left-leaning politicians accuse their government and army of war crimes. A majority wants hostage return to take precedence over war. Netanyahu and his ministers say they’re unmoved and will pursue their goals: disarming Hamas, exiling its leaders, returning hostages and a future in which Gaza poses no threat. They call this an existential battle to persuade neighbors that no compromise is possible with those, like Hamas, who seek Israel’s destruction. They’ve resumed limited humanitarian aid — though nowhere near enough, according to international observers. Talks to return the remaining hostages have stalled but Israel says military pressure will lead to a deal or the defeat of Hamas. The US wants the war over but hasn’t publicly told Israel to stop. For now, there’s no reason to believe that Israel will. — Ethan Bronner  French President Emmanuel Macron and Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem in October 2023. Photographer: Christophe Ena/AFP/Getty Images | 
