Letter: Has the Gaza war really ended?

More than 1,200 casualties, including hundreds of children, show that no one can be sure how long this catastrophe is going to last. It seems that the entire world’s eyes are pinned on what is happening in the Gaza strip day by day.

Israel and Hamas have agreed to a ceasefire. But does it mean a real end to the current conflict? Of course not.

No doubt these neighboring countries want to achieve a certain political goal, regardless of killing innocent civilians. Just how much do they want to show their anger and hatred toward each other?

There is not even one shred of justice shown, only animosity. In the Gaza strip right now, people are desperately waiting for the end of the war. In fact, it does not even look like a war.
Israel has blockaded the borders of the Gaza strip and the people of Palestine are subject to endless bombardment. Isn’t this a holocaust? Israel and other Western countries declare Hamas a terrorist group and are willing to attack them in the name of justice. How is there any chance, how is it even possible, to seek justice through waging war?

It isn’t, I guess. This repetitious international conflict means heartbreak and bloodshed for both Israeli and Palestinian. In addition, considering the current economic crisis, these two countries are choosing to be dragged down together.

I am very concerned about how much the trauma of war is going to affect people’s lives. I guess that physical scars can be healed and do eventually fade with time but the survivors of the war must feel shell-shocked for the rest of their lives. Above all, how can we make the children of Palestine put all the pain and memories from this meaningless war behind them?

Most people around the world may be busy celebrating New Year’s Day and wishing for a prosperous life. However this year, there is one more thing that we should put on our to-do list.
In addition to issues of nationality, religion and gender, we must think and decide how to educate our young children and protect them from this evil. I cannot even imagine what kind of future lies ahead if children are full of devastating images of this war.

EUNMI KIM
Seoul
The Jakarta Post | Wed, 01/21/2009 10:09 AM | Reader's Forum