Israel's operations in Gaza must cease

The recent escalation of violence in the Gaza Strip has once again drawn global attention to the protracted and devastating conflict between Israel and Palestine. Israel's decision to break the two-month ceasefire agreement with Hamas and resume its intensive bombing and ground operations in Gaza last Tuesday has plunged the war-torn region into a deeper humanitarian crisis. This move has not only exacerbated the suffering of the Palestinian people but also cast a dark shadow over the prospects for peace in the Middle East.

Israel's actions are condemnable. The resumption of hostilities has resulted in hundreds of additional casualties, bringing the total number of Palestinian deaths since October 2023 to over 50,000, according to Gaza's Health Ministry. Tragically, more than half of these victims are women and children. This staggering loss of life is a stark reminder of the urgent need for the international community to apply the necessary pressure on Israel and its backer the United States to bring an end to this humanitarian catastrophe.

Israel's decision to halt humanitarian aid and cut off power supplies to Gaza earlier this month had already created dire conditions for the Palestinian population. The latest military offensive has only compounded their suffering. The responsibility for this tragedy of violence lies squarely with Israel, which has chosen to prioritize its political agenda over the lives of innocent civilians and the safety of its own hostages. Even within Israel, voices of dissent have emerged, with President Isaac Herzog criticizing the government's decision to resume fighting while the mission to bring hostages home remains incomplete.