First of all, Hamas won the elections in 2006 which means the writer should refer to them as the 'Palestinian government'. Unfortunately, Israel and its Western allies do not respect the democratic rights of the Palestinian people, thus clearly the Israeli invasion of Gaza is motivated by 'regime change'.

The writer asks the hypothetical question - 'Imagine if Thailand started shooting rockets at Malaysia from the north....would we not retaliate until they stop?'.

That depends - is Malaysia maintaining a naval and land blockade of Thailand and preventing food and medicine from travelling freely into Thailand? Are Malaysian jet-fighters engaging in bombing missions targeting members of the Thai government?

Are Thailand's airports and seaports and roads leading to other countries closed and Thailand can only trade using Malaysian ports? Is Malaysia maintaining military checkpoints all over Thailand?

If yes, I would not support my country's occupation of Thailand and I would instead support the Thai freedom-fighters seeking to liberate their country.

Obviously, Israel's invasion is in response to Palestinian freedom fighters seeking an end to the Israeli occupation of their land. Israel continues to demolish Palestinian homes in the occupied Palestinian territories to make way for Jewish settlements.

Israel talks about the need for Israel's recognition and also for Israel's security concerns. But what about the Palestinians'? Don't they have a right to be recognised as an independent nation and don't they have a right to security?

Would Israel accept the shocking death toll currently suffered by the Palestinians - 420 dead (80% of them civilians including 60 children) and nearly 3,000 injuries? Shocking also is the use by Israel of artillery guns to pound Gaza as artillery projectiles are indiscriminate despite the fact that the US has already supplied Israel with smart bombs. This is a war crime.

Israel is clearly flouting the Geneva Convention which requires the occupying country to ensure the safety and security of its occupied territories. Since Gaza is under Israel occupation, Israel cannot declare war against Gaza because the people living there cannot protect themselves as they have no air force, no navy and no army all of which would inevitably result in them being massacred.

The international community must help the Palestinians. They must demand an end to the Israeli occupation and the bombing of Palestinian cities by Israel. The international community must demand Israel return all occupied land including the capital of Palestine, East Jerusalem.

Peace will only be permanent if it is based on a just and comprehensive deal which respects the rights and aspirations of both the Israelis and the Palestinians.

There is only one solution to the Middle East crisis - it is known as the 'two-state solution'. It is a political solution, not a military one.