Nothing is going to stop a massive Israeli invasion of Gaza

There is no question the invasion of Gaza has been delayed, even nearly called off possibly, but the remark by the secretary-general of the United Nations, which effectively said that Hamas's action in slaughtering more than 1,000 Israelis in cold blood, including women and children, was not carried out "in a vacuum" but was brought on by years of Israel's blockading of Gaza, will surely finally give Benjamin Netanyahu the extra incentive and motivation to go ahead with a massive ground offensive. The words of Antonio Guterres will put fire in the bellies of every Israeli soldier lining up on the Gaza border. Neither the US nor Britain has called for a ceasefire because they recognise that Israel has the right to defend itself and take revenge on Hamas. So it's going to happen, partly thanks to the UN chief's unwise selection of words. Whether a ground invasion will then lead to a much wider regional conflict we have no way of knowing. But the UN chief's statement has underlined the divisions around the world about Israel and the manner in which it has had to protect itself over the years and act against its enemies living all round its borders. Antonio Guterres needs a lesson in history.