The recent escalation in violence is tragic and a ceasefire agreed by both sides is urgently needed.

There can be no justification for the indiscriminate rocket fire from Gaza against the Israeli civilian population.

And it is deeply disturbing that so many Palestinians in Gaza have been killed in this latest violence – the majority of them civilians, who bear no responsibility for this crisis.

Though the people of Israel have the absolute right to live without constant fear for their security, the people of Gaza also have the fundamental right to live in peace and security.

Around 400,000 people in Gaza currently live without access to electricity, and stocks of fuel and medical supplies are running dangerously low. International humanitarian law must be upheld and Israel should lift its blockade of Gaza to ease this human suffering.

The only hope of breaking this cycle of violence is a return to peace negotiations and towards a two-state solution.