It is now two years since Operation Lead Cast, Israel’s infamous 2008 military offensive in Gaza that killed at least 1,400 Palestinians including women and children. As hundreds of Palestinians gathered to mark the event, there is speculation of a new war between Israel and Hamas —the Palestinian militant group controlling Gaza.
The past few weeks have seen intensified exchange of rocket attacks and Israeli airstrikes on militant tunnels, training sites and weapon facilities in Gaza. According to Israel, the rocket attacks from the Palestinian side demand self defence measures. In a strongly worded letter to the UN Security Council, Tel Aviv urged the international community to warn the Palestinians against launching further attacks on Israel. On a similar note, Hamas has appealed to the international community to pressure Israel to refrain from further aggression.
Unfortunately, the international community may not be able to prevent another war, despite warnings if both sides do not exercise restraint. As the war drums beat louder by the day, the situation for the hapless civilians of Gaza remains a nightmare. Not only are the Palestinians condemned to continue suffering under the Israeli economic blockade —now in its third year— they face the very real possibility of another war. The irony is that they are yet to rebuild destroyed infrastructure and resume normal living after the last Israeli attack. Tel Aviv’s refusal to allow reconstruction material badly needed for rebuilding homes, hospitals and schools and even education material and medicines have further deteriorated their living conditions. Facing a severe economic crisis, they have been literally trapped in, thanks to Israel’s punitive measures for having elected Hamas in the first place.
A recent surge in efforts by international aid and human right groups to resist the Israeli siege helped in refocusing attention to the problem. The growing recognition of the need to undo the wrongs inflicted upon the people of Gaza has seen some positive developments on the international front, at least in the EU. While this may not have translated into the kind of results hoped for—since Israel has only partially lifted the blockade allowing very limited goods to go through under UN supervision—there is some progress, however miniscule. But what is worrisome is the rolling back of even this limited easing of the siege in case of another war. Since top Israeli military officials have conceded that another war is inevitable, the situation is looking even bleaker.
It is time the United States and other world powers understand that violence and instability will continue to dominate this region unless a lasting solution is sought and implemented. That can only come about by forcing Israel to adhere to past commitments and enforce a two-state solution. Until that happens such outbreaks are only natural.
(Courtesy:Khaleej Times)
The past few weeks have seen intensified exchange of rocket attacks and Israeli airstrikes on militant tunnels, training sites and weapon facilities in Gaza. According to Israel, the rocket attacks from the Palestinian side demand self defence measures. In a strongly worded letter to the UN Security Council, Tel Aviv urged the international community to warn the Palestinians against launching further attacks on Israel. On a similar note, Hamas has appealed to the international community to pressure Israel to refrain from further aggression.
Unfortunately, the international community may not be able to prevent another war, despite warnings if both sides do not exercise restraint. As the war drums beat louder by the day, the situation for the hapless civilians of Gaza remains a nightmare. Not only are the Palestinians condemned to continue suffering under the Israeli economic blockade —now in its third year— they face the very real possibility of another war. The irony is that they are yet to rebuild destroyed infrastructure and resume normal living after the last Israeli attack. Tel Aviv’s refusal to allow reconstruction material badly needed for rebuilding homes, hospitals and schools and even education material and medicines have further deteriorated their living conditions. Facing a severe economic crisis, they have been literally trapped in, thanks to Israel’s punitive measures for having elected Hamas in the first place.
A recent surge in efforts by international aid and human right groups to resist the Israeli siege helped in refocusing attention to the problem. The growing recognition of the need to undo the wrongs inflicted upon the people of Gaza has seen some positive developments on the international front, at least in the EU. While this may not have translated into the kind of results hoped for—since Israel has only partially lifted the blockade allowing very limited goods to go through under UN supervision—there is some progress, however miniscule. But what is worrisome is the rolling back of even this limited easing of the siege in case of another war. Since top Israeli military officials have conceded that another war is inevitable, the situation is looking even bleaker.
It is time the United States and other world powers understand that violence and instability will continue to dominate this region unless a lasting solution is sought and implemented. That can only come about by forcing Israel to adhere to past commitments and enforce a two-state solution. Until that happens such outbreaks are only natural.
(Courtesy:Khaleej Times)
