Benjamin Netanyahu’s decision to recall his Mossad negotiating team home from Qatar means that Israel has decided that Hamas is either not interested in a new truce or offers nothing to convince Israelis that concessions are worth making, Sky News reports.

This does not necessarily mean that the negotiations have been completely cancelled.

Although Mossad officials are no longer in Doha in person, other channels of communication are open between the two sides, and other mediators, including Qatar and Egypt, will continue to engage in dialogue with Hamas to reach a solution.

But more than anything, it seems to be a clear signal from the Israelis that they have nothing more to talk about at the moment.

Israel’s strategy is to release the hostages as soon as possible

Another very clear signal from the Israelis after yesterday morning’s ceasefire break is that they are fighting a very tough battle in Gaza.

Israel has carried out several airstrikes and artillery attacks since last night, killing more than 200 people and injuring more than 600.

Hamas responded with rocket volleys into southern Israel.

There is a strong belief among those close to Netanyahu that Hamas will be more willing to give in and release more hostages if it is under strong military pressure.

This was also the belief of the Israeli prime minister when the first truce was agreed just over a week ago – that it was largely driven by heavy fighting that had been going on for weeks.

With talks with Qatar clearly deadlocked, the Israelis may find that using military pressure to tighten the screws on Hamas again is the most effective strategy to free more hostages.