I am justifying nothing. Israel doesn’t want a ceasefire and thus a return to the status quo, allowing Hamas (or its successor) to regroup and rebuild. They want Hamas destroyed (figuratively with a an unconditional surrender).

Hamas agrees not to govern if all Palestinians get to vote in Israeli elections? How generous of them. That is a ‘non starter’ from the Israeli point of view.

BTW, I will grant you that the reason the fighting has gone on so long is, apparently, Israel isn’t sure what to do once Hamas is removed from governing the Gaza strip. So yes, Israel is prolonging the misery.

Hamas could surrender… if they wanted to end the suffering of their people.