Israel isn't trying hard at all to minimize civilian deaths, which at this point have climbed over 8000 (in response to an attack that killed 1400).

Peace depends on either the Palestinians being granted full citizenship and equal rights in a greater Israel that includes the occupied territories, or Israel returning all the land it stole in the West Bank and allowing the creation of a Palestinian state. Only Israel can do either of those things, and only America can force them to do them by putting conditions on any future aid.