Editorial,

It is now more than two weeks, and the fighting in Gaza is showing no sign of abating; yet there is absolutely no sign of a genuine effort whatsoever, being done to help the situation in the Middle East.

It is quite clear that the mighty Israeli army is operating with absolute free will as not even the UN is being shown a bit of respect. If this is the New Year's resolution for international relation then woe betides the civilized world. In any case, how does this act of Israel differ from the so-called Russian invasion of Georgia, a development almost the whole of Europe plus the United States of America condemned categorically? 

Whatever the cause of fighting may be, Israel should realize that it must adhere to the international concession governing the act of war. Over two weeks have gone pass now, and the humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate. The effects of the Israeli air strikes, indiscriminate ground assault, and an unnecessary blockade of the Gaza Strip have made the civilian population even more vulnerable than ever.

The situation is more horrific on the part of the children as they are the most vulnerable to hunger, disease outbreak, etc. A vivid justification of this truth is the bombing of a UN school in Gaza with 42 innocent children killed; and today figures have indicated that over 300 children have been killed and more than 1,500 wounded since the start of the conflict.

These are not just mere figures, they talk about the lives of children disrupted, they as well place the children as the burden bearers of a conflict whose cause they understood not.

The tremendous struggle of UNICEF to emancipate these innocent souls from these horrific physical scars, injuries and psychological wounds and make them access shelter, medicine, food etc, despite the difficult prevailing conditions, deserves commendation. The rest of the international community should therefore waste no time in joining UNICEF in this crucial struggle for humanity.

It is high time that the international community abandoned the propaganda spreading and faced the reality of the humanitarian situation in Gaza. All efforts must be craved to ensure that all parties implement UN Security Council resolution 1860, which calls for an immediate, durable and fully respected cease fire and for unimpeded provision and distribution of humanitarian assistance through out Gaza. The situation is tragic and unacceptable.