One Israeli woman dies and US gives green light to Israel to open fire on civilians areas and elected leaders of Palestinians . This is not a civiliased way of combating terrorism. Surely, this method only makes things worse. Yes it is unacceptable for even one person to die. Hamas are wrong to shell Israel towns. But we must not lose our sense of proportion. Using tanks and jet fighters to bombs Palestinians camps is disproportionate use of military power. It is likey to create more vicious cycles of terrorism. I believe that dialogue and negotiations without any preconditions is the only way forward in this Arab-israel conflict. It's time that Israel ends occupation of other people's land.

Z Hussain, Rochdale, UK

This situation is intollerable on both sides and was caused by the British and American governments after WWII when they gacve away 78% of Palestine to the Jewish nation. This land did not belong to either America or Britain so they did not have the right to give it away. Since then Israel has expanded thier boundaries and also confiscated land within Israel that belonged to non Israeli's; this is confirmed by thier own government.

Given this situation would anyone be happy and live peacefully with someone who stole thier home and future or would you fight back any way possible.

The European union should act to find a solution that will help with the injustice that the Palestinians feel without totally destroying Israel otherwise eventually the Palestinians will get better at building missiles and possibly even nuclear. If this happens the only result will be the destruction of Israel and a revenge attack destroying Palestine.

Joseph Kellie, Edinburgh, Scotland

I rather think the Israelis would object if Hamas targeted or assassinated their leadership in response to Israeli aggression/state terror. As the correspondent from Australia suggests there is no semblance of balance in media coverage. We have wicked gunmen on one side (resistance fighters) but no planemen, tankmen etc (occuoiers) on the other.

The Middle East is in the most appalling mess, much of it caused by Western interference/bias. The West seems happy to allow the Palestinean conflict to fester for ever and has started and is thinking of starting new disasters in Iraq and Iran.

There appear to be NO STATESMEN seeking to bring a fair and just end to these conflicts by involving ALL concerned and recognising the sincerity of their positions. I think the West needs to recognise the humanity of all in order to build confidence and give the region (and the world) hope. South Africa and Ireland have shown the way. Even seemingly intractable problems can be solved.

Phil, Outer Asia,

Why is balance required in this article? Tell the story how it is. As long as terrorists continue to rain down their missiles (however primitive is irrlevant) on Israel, Israel have the right to defend themselves and no terrorist should have a hiding place from that justice. That Israel's weaponry is more highly advanced than their Palestinian counterparts is circumstantial. Is this what Israel deserves after having left Gaza? Was this how Hamas have chosen to thank the Israeli's for leaving Gaza? Gaza withdrawl was an act of courage and good faith, Hamas are merely prolonging the suffering of the Palestinian people.

Elliot A, London, UK

I fully agree with William.
It's long time when this newspaper shifted its position to a "muslim" view: Israel is the "Big Satan", poor palestinian people suffer due to Israel etc...
England, after terrorist attacks, decided to be complaisant with muslim citizens instead of responding with a strong position towards western values and against terrorism.
West blames Israel when it responds to terrorist attack and no blame to palestinian terrorist.
Yesterday I read on FT that while Israel killed six activists (no more terrorists, but activists, next time terrorists will be named resistants or patriots), no one israelina was killed; this means that I can shot with a gun to other people and, if no one is injuried, I can continue without any problem, no policeman can stops me.

Fabrizio, Milan, Italy

Because somehow the fact that they are hit-and-miss home-made quassams justifies or excuses them being used, even though they are being fired without restraint into crowded civilian areas? I think not.

Joshua, Birmingham, UK

Israel takes every measure that is reasonable to avoid civilian casualties. Your point about weaponry is complete nonsense as having better weapons does not mean Israel is the bad guy. Fact is, the Islamists have continued their barrage of rockets during their so-called cease fire, Israel has restrained and has now had enough. When Israel was dealing with Hezbollah last summer Lebanon complained that they were targetting civilians, and what does Lebanon do when Palestinians are attacking it from within civilian areas? It does the same as Israel, the only possible thing to do when you are being attacked, and that is hold off hoping it will stop, but then deal with it using force when the terrorists continue. Be reasonable William, your PM is one of the only world leaders to get it right! And your comment about 'hit and miss' rockets is callous and disgusting, as if Israeli children should put up with it. This complacent attitude is what lead to WW2. Never again!

David S, London, UK

In order to reduce the murder and mayhem being inflicted on the Gaza inhabitants Hamas has decided to increase their rocket attacks on Israel in the knowledge that a military response would arrive at some level. Now that Israel has no choice other than to retaliate in force Hamas calls for Palestinian unity against Israel thereby deflecting the violence against its combattants towards Israel.
How can any civilised country in the world actually expect the Israelis to sit down and negotiate a peace with the Hamas government whose only aim is to rule by violence and to destroy its enemies, Israel and Fatah.

Zucker, La Bastide de Besplas, France

For once, the correspondent did provide balance by showing that Israel has no choice but to obliterate the terrorists whom the world know as Hamas.

The above reader may refer to quassams as being "hit or miss", but was his daughter's kindergarten smashed up by one? Does he have to endure non-stop rockets landing around your house? If he did, maybe he would show a little more understand to the intolerable position Israel finds herself in. Sderot is not in the West Bank or Gaza and there is no country on earth who would allow its citizens to be continuously attacked, without retaliating.

Claude Wolf, London, UK

The correspondant could so easily have provided a semblance of "balance" in this report by enlightening the reader as to how many Palestinians have been killed in cold blood by Israel in the corresponding period since November, using advanced weaponry, and sophisticated delivery systems, as opposed to the hit-and-miss home-made quassams?

William F Hassell, Hopetoun Vic , Australia