With the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire set to expire this weekend amid ongoing negotiations, the central drama is whether Israel and Hamas will move to the second stage of the deal, extend the current arrangement or resume their brutal war. For Israel, caught in a web of political, moral and strategic dilemmas, a resumption of fighting would almost certainly cost thousands more lives, including those of the remaining hostages.

The irony is that Israel is struggling to live with a deal that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu signed under pressure from Donald Trump in January — yet that same Trump has in effect given Israel carte blanche to walk away with his blessing.

This green light was reinforced by Secretary of State Marco Rubio during his visit to Israel two weeks ago. Rubio declared that Hamas cannot remain in power, a statement widely interpreted as tacit permission for Israel to back out of the ceasefire, which would effectively leave Hamas ruling Gaza.

Polls show most Israelis supported the deal, which meant an end to the war and a Gaza pullout in exchange for all the hostages. But that doesn’t mean that leaving Hamas in charge in Gaza sits well or does not bode ill. It is an excruciating outcome. And yet, there is a better way forward than resuming the war.

Israel should honor the ceasefire agreement, even though it means tolerating Hamas for a........

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