The eyes of the world are on the current situation unfolding in
the Middle East. The international community is disturbed by the
escalating tensions between Israel and Palestine.
The "extreme action" Israel has been taking over the past
several days to free its abducted soldier Gilad Shalit from a group
of Palestinians may fan the flames of further conflicts.
Israeli warplanes struck the only power station and three
bridges in the Gaza Strip and buzzed Syrian President Bashar
al-Assad's summer home. Troops and tanks rolled into Gaza.
At this juncture, what is needed more than anything else from
both the Israelis and Palestinians is restraint. This is vital in
order to give peace and diplomacy a chance.
The electricity cut-off, which has also shut down water pumps in
Gaza, serving most of the territory's population, is worrisome.
The destruction it has caused to Gaza is raising the specter of
a humanitarian crisis and will possibly see the outbreak of a
full-scale conflict.
Israel yesterday reportedly detained more than 60 Palestinian
cabinet members and lawmakers, including Deputy Prime Minister
Nasser Shaer and Labor Minister Mohammed Barghouti.
Civilians should not be made the target in order to pressurize
the armed groups holding the Israeli soldier.
Meanwhile, political efforts should not be abandoned.
Holding ordinary Gaza people responsible is nothing but an
invitation for anger and, perhaps, revenge.
The consequence of it is not peace but hatred and
instability.
The latest assault is threatening to make the situation in the
region even worse.
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert claimed that the destruction
of Gaza's only power station and three of its bridges was meant to
pressurize, not punish, ordinary Palestinians.
By destroying facilities that are critically important to the
life and health of most of Gaza's 1.4 million residents, Israel is
holding a large number of Palestinians hostage.
This will not create the "new equation" freeing the abducted
soldier in return for lessening the pressure on the Palestinians
that Olmert's government wishes to see.
Such an operation would be bound to cost the lives of
Palestinians and Israeli soldiers. Olmert has ruled out any
negotiations with the hostage takers. Palestinians have been
barricading the streets of the radicalized southern Gaza town of
Rafah in anticipation of an Israeli onslaught.
Relief efforts from the international community are needed to
help the Gaza people and their city, which will be without power
for months. The power plant will not operate again before the end
of the year.
It may be easier to repair or rebuild new infrastructure
facilities than find the political will from both sides.
Nevertheless, diplomacy is the real solution.
(China Daily June 30, 2006)
