Escalation in Violence in Southern Israel/Gaza

The escalation of violence between Israel and Gaza is of great concern to the LSESU Israel Society. The citizens of southern Israel have been subject to a barrage of rocket fire from militants within the Gaza strip. Over 200,000 school children have spent their last few days in bomb shelters instead of attending school. The strategy of indiscriminate rocket fire puts over 1,000,000 of Israel's citizens at risk, whom Israel has a right to defend.  The Israeli Air Force has carried out airstrikes in Gaza, killing 25 Palestinians, some of whom were responsible for these attacks, but invariably there is a grave risk that an increasing number will be civilian casualties. The false claim that only civilians have died in Gaza, and that Israel’s security is not really threatened is a worrying and harmful claim perpetuated by some members of the LSESU community. This is especially true in the knowledge that 15 of those killed were militants in the advanced stage of actualising further rocket launches. The LSESU Israel Society mourns the effect that the escalation in conflict has on ALL civilians involved. This escalation in violence again highlights the high price that people on both sides pay for the absence of diplomatic resolution to the conflict in the region. Israeli and Palestinian leaders, along with international counterparts should do everything in their power implement a meaningful diplomatic process to bring a lasting peace.