Israeli military aggression against Gaza has entered another stage with the land offensive, and the silence of the international community remains deafening.

Both international diplomacy and Arab political efforts to defuse the situation in Gaza Strip are at a standstill. The UN Security Council’s recent attempt to come out at least with a statement calling for an immediate ceasefire was frustrated by the US vote against it.

The US deputy ambassador, Alejandro Wolff, said a new statement now “would not be adhered to and would have no underpinning for success, would not do credit to the council”.

Much credit does it do this world body to allow the carnage in Gaza to go on, indeed!

Arab diplomatic efforts, through the Arab League, have also come to naught, Arab capitals disagreeing on whether to convene an Arab summit to discuss the situation in Gaza.

Yet listening to both Hamas and Israel, the answer to the bloody conflict would appear simple and straightforward.

Israel says that all it wants is an effective and lasting end to Hamas rocket attacks. Hamas, on the other hand, wants an end to the Israeli aggression and the reopening of its borders with the outside world.

If the demands are so clear, how come international and Arab diplomatic endeavours fail to see them? And are failing to stop the bloody conflict?

International political efforts should concentrate on the issues at hand and find a workable solution to them. As far as the blockade of the strip is concerned, it should be the easiest to solve if only the international community put its mind to it.

It is said that in war, the truth is the first casualty. Each side of this conflict projects its own truth, sees things from its own perspective. It would be much easier if they tried to see the war from the same perspective - as a destructive undertaking that kills, ruins lives and breeds more violence. Never a substitute for peace.