It is a stalemateA position in chess where neither player can win. It derives from the Old English stale, meaning a position, and Persian mat, meaning dead. that creeps into the darkening hours of each night. On one side of the increasingly fragile border, Israeli soldiers wait with bated breath for the order from above. On the other, Palestinians hold their children close, eyes shut as the bombs rain down.

As the deaths rise in both Israel and Palestine, a ground invasion from Israel seems inevitable. All that remains for both sides is to wait.

Israel has moved 100,000 troops to the border with the Gaza StripThe smaller of two Palestinian territories, home to two million people. It is located on the Mediterranean coast, surrounded by Israel and Egypt. following the HamasA militant Palestinian organisation, which has controlled the Gaza Strip since 2007. It is listed as a terrorist organisation in the UK. attack on Israel, whilst a whopping 360,000 reservistsA member of a military reserve force. In peacetime, they have non-military jobs. have been mobilisedWhen soldiers are quickly prepared and organised to fight. to join the fighting - 4% of the country's population.

Hamas has killed more than 1,200 in Israel and wounded a further 2,700 since breaching the border on Saturday.¹

Israel has invaded the Gaza Strip twice since it withdrew in 2005. But this time, Israel's invasion is likely to be longer and more deadly.

Israel has a strong upper hand. Between its army, one of the strongest in the world, and military aid from America, it is hard to imagine it struggling against the comparativelyIn comparison to another thing. under-resourced Hamas.

But underestimating Hamas would be a mistake. Israel's military is not prepared for Gaza's densely populated urban spaces. Its tanks are vulnerableat risk of being harmed to attacks from the high buildings Hamas fighters will likely occupy, whilst its drones often work poorly in very busy areas. And Hamas has a big network of underground tunnels, only some of which are known to Israel.

Even the notion of "winning" seems meaningless to some. The conflict has killed at least 830 people in Gaza and left a further 180,000 homeless.² Some say this is a conflict that can have no winners.

Yes: Israel is vastly superior in terms of military strength and will have more than ten soldiers for every Hamas fighter. It may take a while to adapt their technology to the task, but realistically Israel will win the war.

No: Hamas has been planning for this eventuality. Its underground tunnels and use of urban space will give it a distinct upper hand. In addition, Israel's military has shown it has weaknesses.

Or... Nobody wins in this situation. Thousands will almost certainly die. And if Hamas loses, it risks sparking further conflict and a second front; it also risks another, even more aggressive successor rising up in Palestine.