Global silence propels Israel's war

The lack of a unified international consensus - let alone pressure - on how to deal with Israel's attack on Gaza has resulted in the continuation of the onslaught for 19 consecutive days. With the backing of a superpower that vows to stand in support under all circumstances, Israel would ultimately end up being engaged in one military operation after the other.

Israel has simply not yet come to terms to be living in peace in the region as it continues to flex its role with the mentality that of an occupying force. And until that changes in the Israeli psyche, the war of blunders will continue.

Nothing can stop Israel's onslaught against Gaza. Nothing. The Israeli military machinery is far too advanced in ensuring a high death toll. It is way too bloodily aggressive in destroying lives. And it is way too massively brutal in scale as much as in proportion. It is also way too systematic in experimenting its new stock of weaponry. Israel's onslaught therefore could not be stopped until and unless Israel itself decides to do so.

For the third week since the start of Operation Cast Lead, international diplomatic efforts have been embarrassingly diminutive in its reaction to Israel's attack on Gaza. The height of this complacency is the UN Security Council Resolution calling for immediate ceasefire, which came and left without a whiff.

And it is the mentality of supremacy in the Israeli political and military corridors that is dictating what is unfolding in Gaza today. At no cost will Israel stop its onslaught - not the number of civilians killed, not the levelling down of houses, schools, mosques, shops and clinics, not even the demonstrations of protests that are being staged across the world. Israel feels it is immune and believes that the iron fist is the only means necessary to achieve its goals. Is it surprising that this has become an integral part of its character? Ever, it is above the law and beyond the reach.

The goals set by Israel in its current attack on Gaza has been ambiguous at best. With the start of phase 2.5 of the four-phased attack, there were many reasons given as to why it is being waged. Surely, some members of Hamas have been killed or captured and some of their weapons destroyed.

But what is the true rationale behind the attack? Is it to seek the release of kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit? Is it to inject the upcoming Israeli election next month with enough spice that would influence the crowd of voters? Is it to eliminate or decrease the rockets being fired at Israel? Israeli officials talk in the vocabulary of 'change balance of power' in the area and 'closing in on the endgame'.

With a merciless attack by air, land and sea, is the 'endgame' to weaken, topple, or eliminate Hamas from Gaza? Could it be possible that all this shelling vanquishes the movement? But then again what about all the Gazans who had voted for the movement in the elections of 2006? Would they also cease to exist by the end of this attack?

Or is it a war of proxy whereas Israel is fighting indirectly its so-called 'enemies' in its axis of evil - Iran-Hamas-Hezbollah? And if this was the ill-fated goal that had not been achieved in the war on Lebanon in 2006, is the current attack yet anther attempt at it?

Ferocity

Unfortunately, the ferocity of the onslaught will not stop for now. Civilians would continue to be in the target zones of Israeli artillery as they attempt to survive the shelling first and then going on for days without food or water. Humanitarian and medical centres would still be targeted - accidentally or otherwise - and try to make mends meet with dwindling medical supplies. There is no safe haven for the children, women, or the elderly as it is an all out attack.

A Palestinian woman relayed how her elderly father described the current situation in Gaza as feeling as if it was 1948 all over again when mass Palestinian populations were forcefully pushed out of their land after consistent attacks on their houses, livelihood and lives.

Will the world remain a mere spectator?

Until the Muslims unite, no one will stop Israel's aggression. Israelis are the real terrorists
Jahabar Sathik Hakeem
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: January 14, 2009, 13:57

Israel has crossed the lines of cruelity. It need to be stopped.
Noushad
Dubai,UAE
Posted: January 14, 2009, 13:10

People of the Gulf should unite against this.
fairuz
Gujarat,India
Posted: January 14, 2009, 12:21

The agony of the moment is that Muslims as a whole are so weak that they have to accept everything that is going on. My prayers for all the Gazan brothers and sisters. I appologize on behalf of whole Muslim world.
Ahsan
Dubai,UAE
Posted: January 14, 2009, 11:32

Every word written here is true. Israel thinks it is above the law. The immortal mindset of Israel is going to dupe the people there. Their idea of the kingdom of David from Nile to Euphrates will be achieved by mercilessly mowing down children,women and men. The major thing they are forgetting is that they might be above law in this world but not before the almighty. They will answer and be punished infinte times in the hereafter. This is the only solace I give myself as I can only pray for my Muslim brothers and sisters.
Mariam Kapadia
Dubai,UAE
Posted: January 14, 2009, 11:20

Until all muslims are united and fight against this terrorist state Israel, these sufferings will continue.UN should declare Israel as terrorist state because this country broke almost 17 UN resoultions.
Yanee
London,UK
Posted: January 14, 2009, 10:08

I would like to draw every one's kind attention towards Amrica's silence. All over the world, terrorists are being chased by USA but why not Israel? It is only due to USA'S criminal silence that has given courage to the deveil Israel to murder our innocent peopel in Palestine.
Dilkhurm
Dubai,UAE
Posted: January 14, 2009, 08:53

No matter what - no one can hide from God. He sees everything and everyone.What we see in Gaza is a masacre of our brothers and sisters.We are all the same, but are we still all human?There is no doubt that the Palestinians have the right to independance. Why has is taken so long?yet Kosovo has long aquired the dream of their own right to independance. The violence must stop on both sides.What plagues my soul is fact that Israel's might is unaceptable as they use Phosperous and chemicals to obliterate these innocent lives.We are all watching in horror, those of us who still have the compassion and humanity that God blessed us with.God is watching,that's what they forget.
Nermeen
Barcelona,Spain
Posted: January 14, 2009, 05:47