U.N.’s call for cease-fire in Middle East should be heeded

U.N.’s call for cease-fire in Middle East should be heeded

Israel has a right to defend itself against rockets being launched from Gaza toward civilian populations in southern Israel, but how others perceive the proportionality of its response colors everything.

Over the weekend, Israel launched air strikes against various targets in Gaza, initially targeting Hamas security compounds. Hamas, which took control of Gaza after Israeli troops pulled out in 2005, ending 38 years of occupation, is considered a terrorist organization by Israel and by the U.S. State Department.

Dual goals

The strikes were obviously aimed at crippling Hamas’ military capability and at undercutting its standing with Palestinians living in Gaza by driving up the desperation factor in daily life in Gaza.

Only part of that goal has been reached. Meanwhile, the Israeli attacks have inflamed Palestinians, won strong sympathy for Hamas throughout much of the Middle East and brought renewed calls for a cease-fire.

Generally lost in this reaction is what sparked the Israel assault. It was the decision by Hamas to break an uneasy truce that was in force through much of the year.

The Israeli army says Palestinian militants have fired more than 300 rockets and mortars at Israeli targets over the past week and 10 times that number over the past year.

Casualties were relatively light, but the psychological effect on the population in Israeli towns near the border can’t be discounted. And there were signs that Hamas was improving its armament and its aim.

Few nations would tolerate hundreds or thousands of rocket attacks on its territory, even if most of the rockets struck dirt.

Israel’s response was calculated and deadly, aimed first at a graduation ceremony for new Hamas security guards. Among those killed were two of Gaza’s highest ranking security officials: Tawfiq Jabr, police chief for all of Gaza; and Ismail Al Jaaberi, head of a security force similar to the U.S. Secret Service.

Initial reports showed about 280 dead and twice that many wounded. The vast majority were Hamas targets, but among the dead were also 20 children under the age of 16 and nine women.

The world view

It is the thought and the images of those casualties that work against Israel. World opinion does not coalesce around unreported rocket attacks such as those launched by Hamas or by others with Hamas consent. It forms around the deaths of noncombatants, especially women and children.

The U.N. Security Council has already called on Israel and the Palestinians to immediately halt all violence and military activities. It also called for a new cease-fire between Israel and Hamas and for opening border crossings into Gaza to enable humanitarian supplies to reach the territory.

The response from all quarters should be quick and in the affirmative.

Israel has made its point with deadly accuracy. Hamas should have learned that a cease-fire is in its own interests.

The Middle East remains a tinderbox. A new U.S. administration will be taking office just as Israel holds its own elections. If either of those governments is to lead the way toward a new peace initiative, it will need the calm that would come with a new cease-fire.