The crisis in Gaza has escalated over the past weekend. The US has sent a second aircraft carrier in the volatile region as a deterrent to protect American interests and the United States secretary of state has been frantically travelling across the Middle East to rein in the war. Israel's military is also preparing to launch an all out attack on Gaza by land, air and sea. With the Iran backed Hezbollah, Syria and Lebanon also likely to join the offensive against Israel , the risk of conflagration and a spike in crude oil prices appears very real. The attack by Hamas was unconscionable and Israel has every right to bring the perpetrators to justice but it's approach so far has led to massive civilian casualties in the Gaza Strip. The US as a security guarantor can rope in Egypt and Israel to ensure that the most vulnerable segments of the population receive aid. It is in the interest of every advanced country to leverage it's economic and military heft and make efforts to mediate and bring the Israel- Palestine war to a halt.
