Here’s what we’re talking about heading into the new week: The big pressure: The Israel-Hamas conflict hits the two-month mark this week and hostilities have ramped up after a week-long ceasefire collapsed. US officials are urging Israel to heed warnings about the mounting civilian death toll in Gaza. “I have personally pushed Israeli leaders to avoid civilian casualties, and to shun irresponsible rhetoric, and to prevent violence by settlers in the West Bank,” Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said. The wave of hate unleased by Hamas’s October assault and Israel’s response is rising faster than governments can react. ... (full story)