The world needs to force a ceasefire

White phosphorus is raining down on Gaza, searing anyone it touches, whether they are children or soldiers. 'Dime" bombs are shattering human bodies with their ferocious impact. Over 1,000 Palestinians have been killed in the massacre in Gaza, including hundreds of women and children.

The world must act to call Israel to account for its war crimes. Israel is continuing on its savage path thanks to American support. This means that the united voice of the entire world community should make clear to the US that it cannot remain in defiance of international law and the UN, and continue to permit its client state Israel to continue trying to destroy a city of over a million people.

Israel's Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni wants the US to ensure that an Egyptian brokered deal will prevent Hamas from rearming. Hamas will agree to a year-long renewable ceasefire if Israel pulls its forces out of Gaza within seven days, and also reopens the border crossings immediately.

The Egyptians are trying to solve the impasse with a two-stage agreement, which would bring an immediate ceasefire and open crossings for humanitarian aid, and a long-term truce would include Israeli withdrawal and provisions to stop arms being supplied to Hamas and a full lifting of the blockade on Gaza. However, Israel, watching the future politics of how this will play out in ensuing months, has sneaked in yet another demand: that Fatah and Hamas mend their split. The long-term solution will not come from Israel trying to manipulate Palestine. It will come from Israel recognising Palestinian borders and a Palestinian state, and Palestinians recognising Israel. This is a very long way off today, but it is the only way that this conflict will truly end.