Middle East is once again on the brink of a devastating conflict as hostilities between Israel and Palestine have erupted into a tragic and alarming situation. The recent violence has left a trail of death and destruction in its wake, with both sides vowing to escalate the conflict.
On Saturday Hamas fighters rampaged through Israeli towns killing and capturing scores of civilians and soldiers. Israel responded with massive retaliatory air strikes in the Gaza Strip, resulting in a high number of casualties among the Palestinian population. The toll on innocent lives on both sides is deeply distressing, with reports of at least 200 Israelis killed and 1,100 wounded, while in Gaza, health officials have reported more than 230 people killed and 1,600 wounded. Amid this tragic cycle of violence, it is disheartening to witness the rhetoric of revenge from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who promised to turn Gaza into a “deserted island” in response to worst attack his country has suffered in decades. Such statements only serve to further inflame tensions and escalate the conflict, putting lives of countless innocent civilians at risk. It is for international community to intervene urgently and decisively to prevent further bloodshed and to facilitate a lasting and peaceful solution to the longstanding Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
This bloodshed would not have happened if world community had given ears to the plight of Palestinian people who have braving all sorts of Israeli atrocities and persecution for long. Just this year, before the breakout of current violence, two hundred Palestinians lost their lives at cruel Israeli hands. World silence is deplorable on it. The recent escalation of violence underscores the urgency of resolving Israeli-Palestinian conflict and finding a just and equitable solution. A two-state solution remains the most viable path towards peace and stability in the Middle East. There is need to prioritise efforts to bring both parties to negotiation table and facilitate a comprehensive peace agreement that ensures security, dignity and self-determination for Palestinians. This approach is not only essential for well-being of the people in the region but also for broader global stability. The time to act is now, and the world must come together to prevent further devastation and loss of innocent lives.
