http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/90001/90780/91343/6568096.html
Israeli army's large-scale military operation continued on January 6th, and its forces pressed on wit their deadly ground, sea and air assault and tanks advanced into the Gaza Strip. Since the Israeli Air Force launched Operation "Cast Lead" on December 27, 2008, as many as one quarter of casualties have reportedly been civilians with no connection to terrorist activities. Meanwhile, Hamas' rocket attacks into Israel also killed and wounded several dozen local residents. At present, the humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate radically with incessant Israeli air bombardment. Apart from grave casualties, survivors are suffering from an acute shortage of basic daily essentials. And the United Nations' relevant organs even use the word "shocking" to describe the tragic situation in Gaza. International community has, for the consecutive days, expressed deep concern over the Gaza conflict and called for an end to the armed conflict. Since December 27, the UN Security Counci1 has convened three emergency meetings but failed to agree to a statement calling for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. On the part of the United States, it also voices its "deep concern" over the "humanitarian situation" in the Gaza conflict in its repeated statements while blaming Hamas for Gaza attacks and asserting that it should take all responsibilities for a failure in ceasefire and the escalation of conflicts. The objective of its operation, claims Israel, is to do away with Hamas' rocket attack capability, and this seems a superficial goal however. The fundamental objective is the overthrow of the Hamas government. Moreover, as its general election is due on March 27th, all factions in Israel have been vying each other to be tough so as to win more voters. So, this is an excuse behind its operation. Gaza Strip, a tiny piece of flat land, can be easily cut off arms and diesel supplies from outside. Furthermore, Hamas does not have the military resources to match Israel. Hence, Israel has a greater possibility to attain its military objectives. Nevertheless, Israel cannot necessarily gain more points strategically, even it wins the war. There are two apparent reasons. First, even the war could inflict heavy casualties on Hamas organizationally or in term of military strength, the Israeli army's military moves could possibly help Hamas boost or reinforce its influences among the populace, further deepen the hatred of Palestinians toward Israel, and even lead to the emergence of more radicals. As popular grievances run high today, so it is pretty hard for the peace faction within Palestine to comprise or make major concessions to Israel at present. Second, the large-scale Israeli military moves could put moderate Arab countries in a very awkward position, and they, too, have to sternly denounce the Israeli military operation before the surging anti-Israel sentiments. This of course is unfavorable for Israel and Arab nations to improve their relations. Military confrontation and the use of force can only bog down both Palestine and Israel in a circle of "replacing one despotic rule by another" instead of dissolving their conflicts, reducing their contradictions and going further away from the settlement of issues, as the practice has repeatedly proven. Peace needs careful nurturing and meticulous care; any violence, conflicts and military actions run counter to peace and will ultimately strangle it and bury the peace process. Hence, parties to the conflict should exercise maximum restraint, abandon the use of force, put an immediate end to military moves and armed conflicts, gradually build up their mutual trust and resolve conflicts via political dialogue. On in so doing, can the Middle-East region keep off war fire and bloodshed and truly step into the correct, peace- building orbit. Gaza used to be the Holy Land with abundant cultural details, but this small land with profound cultural connotation is now beset with turmoil and upheavals. Only when people in Gaza are living a peaceful life and go all out to develop economy and improve their livelihood, can the odd cycle of "reprisal breeding reprisal" be resolved at source. All this, however, cannot be achieved through the use of force. By People's Daily Online, and its authors are PD overseas resident reporters Li Xuejiang and Huang Peizhao. --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "World-thread" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/world-thread?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
