"What are you gonna do about taking care of the people?"

.. A question posed to the government of Israel by CNN contributor Lt. General Richard Honore rtd. as Israel's bombardment of Gaza and Hamas' firing of rockets into southern Israel enters Its 9th day.

So far, 507 Palestinians have been killed and about 2,200 have been injured. Much of Gaza's infrastructure have been decimated by persistent and ruthless Israeli bombardment. 6 Israelis have so far lost their lives in the last 9 days from Hamas rocket attacks.

Israel insists it is doing what is neccessary to bring peace to Its citizens who are living in constant fear of Hamas rockets. Israel's biggest ally the United States agrees wholeheartedly..

.. But has Israel used its might, as well as its so far unequivocal support from the U.S as leaverage to truly challenge Hamas to reach a peace that is, in the words of U.S secretary of state Condi Rice "durable and sustainable"?

The discourse so far perhaps, has suggested war and not peace.. even if Israel and the U.S say otherwise.

A discourse that has peace as its basis would immediately appreciate the dangers inherent in creating conditions in Gaza that alienates the man, woman and child on the streets to the extent that they become even more hateful of the Jewish state and Its people.. this a situation that can only fuel Hamas anti - Israeli rhetoric and rocket attacks instead of a dialogue for peace..

In the last 9 days Israel has so far not articulated how it intends to accommodate ordinary Palestinians on Gaza's streets as It targets Its Hamas adversary. Instead, the number of dead women and children rises to unacceptable levels..

For Israel again the question, what are you gonna do about taking care of the people?