Clashes between Israel’s military and militant groups in Gaza – as happened this week – can seem depressingly familiar.
One side or the other triggers fighting in which the militants fire rockets and Israel responds with airstrikes.
Buildings are destroyed and people die.
After a few days of fighting a ceasefire is brokered, which lets Israelis return to their comfortable lives and Gazans to a much more difficult existence under blockade.
Listen to the report by Eric Tlozek on ABC Sunday Extra.