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As I write this the Isreali Defence Force is sending tanks into the Gaza. In an effort to stop rocket attacks on southern Isreal. Nobody with any knowledge of the issue will claim that there is a millitary solution to the conflict. They hope that there might be, but in reality there won't be. Gaza is a a large prison. Containing 1.5 million inmates, the entrance and exits are controlled by the IDF, who decide what and when people can eat, drink and heat their homes by controlling the flow of goods to the area. This daily monotony,  is the real tragedy of the middle east conflict. The curtailment of dreams, massive unemployment, lack of educational and health facilities and restrictions on travel, mean that Palestinians are forced to live shortened, restricted lives. If you believe in freedom and self determination then you must support the state of Isreal's right to exist but equally the Palestinians' too.

              Television screens are now showing imags of maimed children, killed by Isreali bombs. while in the name of balance an Isreali home is shown with a small rocket crater outside and the reporter ernestly saying that a baby was inside at the time. Children are often seen as the victims of these conflicts and indeed they are. However spare a thought for the a man who lost his wife and his children in a bomb attack yesterday. He was once a child who had his future in front of him. He grew up, got married, had children and lost it all in an afternoon. Where is this man's life now?  He is undoubtedly easy prey now for Hamas, and I would not be surprised if he is later firing rockets. After all what has he got to lose? His country? His family? His home?

 Children are our future, but peace will only be achieved if they have a future to grow up to.