Israel is turning into a malignant country in its conduct of strife in Gaza. First, it was the use of air raids on civilian-occupied areas which resulted in massive casualties of mostly children. Thereafter, Israel asked the Palestinians to move south in the territory at very short notice so that they could ostensibly cleanse the northern areas of Hamas. After people had moved south, Israel bombed those same areas to which people had moved believing in Israel's assurance of safety. What was expected to be a haven of refuge for the Palestinians turned out to be hellfire and brimstone.
The latest is the shooting down by the Israeli forces of three hostages who were showing white flags. This situation is ridiculous and completely irresponsible on the part of Israel and defies any logical or reasonable explanation. Israel and its soldiers seem to have lost their minds in the overdrive to wage war and have become trigger-happy in their desire to seek retribution.
And this is the country which the US, UK and France assured support at the beginning of the conflict when Hamas took those 200-odd Israeli hostages! Since then, the eyes of the US have opened somewhat and they have successively warned Israel of limiting civilian casualties, in the use of white phosphorus during the fighting and to avoid deaths of children. The latest is the call of the US to Israel to show restraint. This could be part of the public relations exercise that the US is indulging in to maintain its good image.
Israel, on its part, is not paying any heed to these cautionary pieces of advice. In contrast, the UK and France have not exercised any restraining influence on Israel in the present conflict. But even the US's warnings have not been heeded by Israel, which continues with more vigour than earlier in the conduct of killing the Palestinians.
Israel even harangued UN officials when a resolution was moved to restore peace in the area. This resolution was however shot down by the US's veto in the Security Council. With Israel continuing in its uncontrolled pursuit of war in Gaza, a massive humanitarian crisis that is already there is reaching alarming proportions. Unless the world calls for a unilateral ceasefire by Israel in Gaza, things which have reached disastrous levels will sink further to a point of no return for the Palestinians.
