Despite the ongoing bombardment of the Gaza Strip, warlike pronouncements from Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s prime minister, and overnight raids into the enclave by Israeli armour and infantry, a massive Israeli ground incursion is becoming less likely – and with it, the prospect of a regional war, at least in the near future.

In fact, as of the time of writing, it would appear the region is heading towards a partial, wary de-escalation.

Mr Netanyahu’s own addresses to the nation are growing progressively more vague on the onward trajectory of the war, even as he ramps up the Biblical rhetoric. In the last statement, he was especially cautious not to paint the ground incursion as imminent. “We are preparing for a ground incursion,” he said. “I will not detail when, how and how many.”

His partner in the national unity government, Benny Gantz, the former chief of staff, was quick to downplay any expectations created early on for a decisive, overwhelming attack.

Any incursion, he said, would be merely one “phase” of a “long-term process” that would include “security, political and social” aspects and would take “years”. And an internet campaign has emerged urging Mr Netanyahu to delay the incursion to spare Israeli soldiers lives, and to continue bombing the Strip instead. Among the leaders of the campaign is a former aide of Mr Netanyahu.