Israel-Hamas war approaches, the prospects of peace between Israelis and Palestinians seem less likely than ever. Despite repeated attempts by U.S., Egyptian, and Qatari diplomats to negotiate a cease-fire and hostage release deal,

Before Oct. 7, 2023, the Middle East seemed relatively stable. The peace was broken by Hamas’ attack, Israel’s response and expanding regional violence. But the politics have not changed.

The BBC has heard accounts given to families of what happened at one military base that guarded the border with Gaza. The Nahal Oz base was overrun by Hamas gunmen on the morning of 7 October and more than 60 Israeli soldiers are reported to have been killed - with others taken hostage.