The spiral of violence

Terrible news has come from the Middle East, as Israel is shelling the Gaza strip into submission. At the time of writing at least 275 dead and 600 wounded, it isn't clear yet how many of those are civilians/government/military. CNN has reported that one of the known targets of the assault was a Gaza police station. Israel claims that this recent act of violence was a reaction to over one hundred rockets being fired from the Gaza strip into Israel, and hence this action is seen as self-defence.

It will sound reasonable to many until it's learnt (at least from what I read) that the rockets have led to only one casualty in Israel. The rockets themselves were a reaction to previous aggressive acts from the Israeli army, and also the complete embargo that Israel has placed onto this part of Palestine. Not even food, aid, or medicine has been allowed to enter the Gaza strip, adding to the plight of many impoverished people there. Some exemptions to this embargo were only made earlier this week. Those aggressive acts by the Israeli military and the embargo were a reaction to the kidnapping of some Israeli soldiers and more rockets that rarely ever hit anything. I could go on like this forever.

When will both sides learn that violence begets violence? Does Israel actually expect a long bombing raid to decrease the level of violence and anger in the Gaza strip? Whether Israel has a sacred right to the land or they immorally forced their way into the land with the blood of Palestinian civilians; it is clear that such merciless killing by both the Israeli army and the suicide bombers will only provoke further aggression. An endless spiral of violence now defines the Israel/Palestine conflict, and the poorest victims are the Palestinian/Israeli civilians who just want to get along with each other in peace.