The eyes of the world are on the current situation unfolding in the Middle East. The international community is disturbed by the escalating tensions between Israel and Palestine.

The "extreme action" Israel has been taking over the past several days to free its abducted soldier Gilad Shalit from a group of Palestinians may fan the flames of further conflicts.

Israeli warplanes struck the only power station and three bridges in the Gaza Strip and buzzed Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's summer home. Troops and tanks rolled into Gaza.

At this juncture, what is needed more than anything else from both the Israelis and Palestinians is restraint. This is vital in order to give peace and diplomacy a chance.

The electricity cut-off, which has also shut down water pumps in Gaza, serving most of the territory's population, is worrisome.

The destruction it has caused to Gaza is raising the specter of a humanitarian crisis and will possibly see the outbreak of a full-scale conflict.

Israel yesterday reportedly detained more than 60 Palestinian cabinet members and lawmakers, including Deputy Prime Minister Nasser Shaer and Labor Minister Mohammed Barghouti.

Civilians should not be made the target in order to pressurize the armed groups holding the Israeli soldier.

Meanwhile, political efforts should not be abandoned.

Holding ordinary Gaza people responsible is nothing but an invitation for anger and, perhaps, revenge.

The consequence of it is not peace but hatred and instability.

The latest assault is threatening to make the situation in the region even worse.

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert claimed that the destruction of Gaza's only power station and three of its bridges was meant to pressurize, not punish, ordinary Palestinians.

By destroying facilities that are critically important to the life and health of most of Gaza's 1.4 million residents, Israel is holding a large number of Palestinians hostage.

This will not create the "new equation" freeing the abducted soldier in return for lessening the pressure on the Palestinians that Olmert's government wishes to see.

Such an operation would be bound to cost the lives of Palestinians and Israeli soldiers. Olmert has ruled out any negotiations with the hostage takers. Palestinians have been barricading the streets of the radicalized southern Gaza town of Rafah in anticipation of an Israeli onslaught.

Relief efforts from the international community are needed to help the Gaza people and their city, which will be without power for months. The power plant will not operate again before the end of the year.

It may be easier to repair or rebuild new infrastructure facilities than find the political will from both sides.

Nevertheless, diplomacy is the real solution.

(China Daily June 30, 2006)