Patrick Kingsley, Jerusalem bureau chief for The New York Times, discusses why Israel is delaying the ground invasion of Gaza, including concerns over hostage extraction, the fear of opening a second front with Hezbollah, the difficulty of penetrating Hamas' tunnel networks, and the potential urban quagmire. The chapter also explores the weighty decision of whether to invade and the potential political implications for Benjamin Netanyahu's government. It highlights the intense Israeli bombing campaign on Gaza and the rising humanitarian crisis, with a shift in global narrative towards concerns about civilian casualties. The podcast also covers discussions on the possibility of a prolonged conflict, journalist presence on the ground, a lawyer pleading guilty, and the chaotic day on Capitol Hill.