Dear Editor,
The situation in the Gaza is deeply troubling and nothing short of a humanitarian disaster. This is a clear case of collective punishment for the actions of a few, which is a violation of international humanitarian norms. The killings and kidnapping of civilians and the holding them as hostages by the Hamas cannot be justified. But the indiscriminate killings of civilians including women and children in the Gaza Strip, one of the most highly densely populated place in the world, is equally wrong. An entire population is now living in a state of siege, cut off from all the basic necessities of life, including water, electricity and access to food and medical care. The harsh reality is that the Palestinian problem cannot be resolved through military means. The way forward is for the relevant parties to take the necessary steps towards a two-state solution, which must include the creation of an independent Palestinian state.
Sincerely,
Hydar Ally
