Israel ought not agree to a deal like this one for three reasons. First, what’s the point of going into Rafah to kill Hamas terrorists — at the cost more deaths to IDF forces — only to allow large numbers of Hamas terrorists to return, one day, to the fray?

Second, a long ceasefire will lead to more U.S. pressure for a permanent one. Even assuming, as I do, that Israel will resist that pressure, doing so will further alienate Joe Biden and his team.

Third, and relatedly, the sooner Israel finishes the job in Gaza, the sooner it can move past this wretched situation. Israel will no longer need to be on a war footing. It will no longer face daily criticism for fighting the war. And Gaza will be able to begin rebuilding.