How does Gaza attack affect the Middle East?

Two people have been killed and several injured in Israeli missile strikes in Gaza City, witnesses say.

Less than three hours earlier, a missile fired by a fighter plane hit a building in the city believed to be a weapons workshop for the radical Hamas group, injuring at least six people.

The military action comes a day after three Israeli soldiers were killed in an ambush near the West Bank town of Ramallah - an attack claimed by the al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigade.

Last week a US diplomatic convoy has been hit in a bomb blast in the Gaza Strip, killing three American security personnel and injuring one.

How will this affect the situation in the Middle East? Send us your thoughts.

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By attacking innocent bystanders all moral high ground is los KM, US

By attacking innocent bystanders all moral high ground is lost. Martin Luther King and Gandhi understood that the most potent power comes in non-violent protest. What have these bombings brought? Peace? What ends do they hope to accomplish? Having the entire world so convinced that the situation is hopeless that they give up on all parties? Is that the goal? There could be friends here, there could be help here, but not with the situation continuing as it has been. If neither party has any hope of resolving the situation, then all is lost. If this continues, the world will eventually become numb to the daily happenings in Gaza.
KM, US

Although it is highly likely that this act of terror was perpetrated by Palestinians, it is not difficult to trace the real origin and architects of terrorist's assault on the West and on Israel. There was no Palestine before 1967, and there was no Palestinian nation. All this was invented and loaded with refugee problem by Arab states and supported by EU, UN, Russia, and USA as these countries did not recognize in time the upcoming danger. These instigators of assault on the West are now trying to see how much the USA is willing to go to fight the perpetrators. As long as Bush is pursuing the road-map there will be perpetual attacks on USA and on Israel. There is no way the Arab nations are ready for real peace with Israel and with West. Implications - more blood of innocents until the free world will finally decide that enough is enough and will wage real war on states, on organizations, and on religious leaders that promote and support terrorism.
Robert, Canada

The situation can always get worse; and indeed it will continue to worsen until and unless the world acknowledges the inherent right of any state - even a Jewish one - to defend its citizens from random purposeful suicide attacks intended as genocidal acts in keeping with genocidal incitements that are strictly prohibited under international law.
Freda Saul, USA

Palestinian looked favourably to USA for long time. But what did they get? They got to see the killing of their parents, brothers, sisters and children in front of them. They saw vetoes against Palestine. Is it tolerable? So many times they prayed to the USA for their legal rights. But the USA did not pay a heed of Palestinian prayers. Now the Palestinians are dispirited. From their actions, the militant groups get inspiration to attack their enemy again and again.
Abdur Rahman Bikrom, Bangladesh

Once again the people not the governments pay the price. I regret the attack on my fellow American citizens. The attack is unacceptable and its perpetrators should be punished. I honestly believe that the current Israeli government is not one that you can establish a peace treaty with. It remains a fact that Israel has witnessed the highest number of casualties and suicide operations during the term of the current government.
Ayham Kamel, Syria

I truly feel very sorry for the dead Americans diplomats, and I would like to express my condolence to their families. However, I wonder why we didn't hear any condemnation or sympathy from any one when innocent Palestinian civilians die daily. We can't blame Palestinians for that attack as no one has claimed responsibility.
Khaldoon Rashid, Kuwait

Any act of terrorism is deplorable but who decides what terrorism is? James Stewart, USA

Any act of terrorism is deplorable but who decides what terrorism is? The attack is a sign of desperation by Palestinians who see the US veto any anti-Israel resolution and looks the other way to a nuclear armed Israel. My heart weeps for all Jews and Muslims alike.
James Stewart, USA

Declaring war on terrorism without addressing the causes of terrorism will only lead to more violence. The Israeli settlements spread throughout the occupied territories are proof that there is no intention to allow the Palestinians to have their own independent state. What is needed is for Israel to uphold the 38 UN Resolutions it has so far ignored, and you would have peace in the Middle East.
Margaret Farrell, Italy

The Palestinians always complain that the US is too one-sided towards Israel. Well why wouldn't the US be? The Palestinians danced in the streets on 9/11 when innocent American lives were lost. Now, after U.S diplomats were killed on their way to give scholarships, Palestinians threw rocks at American investigators. The Palestinians made their bed, now they lie in it.
Mike Tyson, USA

No excuse for this action by anyone, no matter how downtrodden they may be! Tommy, USA

These were not soldiers; they were diplomats who had been invited into the territory by the Palestinian authority. Absolutely no excuse for this action by anyone, no matter how downtrodden they may be!
Tommy, USA

It's a paradox to try to bring about peace through violence. Killing innocent people cannot be justified. Be it the suicidal attack of the Palestinians or the state sponsored terrorism of Israeli troops.
Faisal, India

Occupying forces should stop whining. I've never heard the Russians "complaining" about "terrorism" in Afghanistan.
Luna, USA

It is sad - and bitterly ironic - that the US got burned while doing the right thing for once. Programs like this one that bring students to the US to study are one of the best ways to combat the roots of terrorism and promote democracy. What folly! Follies of the past and present on both sides!
Elaine, Minnesota USA

The main cause of violence is that the Palestinians lost their faith in UN, EU,US, Islamic and Arab world. They do not have any other way to stop the 36 years of ongoing humiliation. The Peace process gave them nothing but more settlements, check points and corrupt authority. We should all remember that before the first Intifada the supporters of a Palestinian state in Israel were less than 20%.
Fakher, Finland/Palestine

It is unfair to call the US veto at the UN one sided TRP, USA

The bombing will not deter the US from continuing to push for progress on the roadmap to peace. It is unfair to call the US veto at the UN one sided. The US said it would agree to the resolution about the security fence if terrorism was denounced in the same resolution. Syria refused that option and forced a vote the US felt it had to veto because it only condemned one side (Israel) without condemning the terrorism on the other side. It was Syria that one sided. It will take compromise by both Israel and the Palestinians. The Hamas charter says their goal is detroy all of Israel. Their leader repeated the same goal last month. How can their be compromise without partners who will work for peace?
TRP, USA

The Gaza attack only serves to confirm the words of an Israeli politician who said that the Palestinians never lose an opportunity to lose golden opportunities. Having tried violence without any discernible results why not try peaceful negotiations. Or is that too extreme to consider?
Anthony Kayode, England

The idea that Arafat is the root of the problem and that if he was to be removed all problems would miraculously disappear is simplistic and totally wrong. The same way that the problems in Iraq will not stop if Saddam is apprehended or killed or terrorism will not go away if Bin Laden was apprehended or killed. These simplistic theories (of good and evil, with us or the terrorist, and one man behind major issues) introduced by the Bush administration is used either for public consumption or demonstrate the total inability of the Bush administration to comprehend and solve complicated issues.
Anestis, Greece

I love how everything in the world is the US' fault. Damned if you do damned if you don't. Surely the US does deserve some blame. But shouldn't the two sides in the conflict accept most of the blame for the hell that is this situation? What about outside Arab support of radical groups who undermine Arab attempts at peace, should they not share in the blame as well?
Bruce, Australia

I don't know if a part of USA were under occupation by Canada how USA and its people would respond !!
Momin, Bangladesh

The paradox is that the US convoy was hit on a way to give the Palestinians scholarships to study in the US. You all talk that this is the result of the occupation but this occupation has been going since 1967. Why nobody talks about the Palestinian situation before the Oslo agreement? Where then so many bombings? So many innocent people killed? Nobody wants to speak about it because if you search for it you would realise that it was quite different. Terror should be stopped anywhere in the world because I fear if it's not the world will become a ball of fire.
Sara, Israel

The attack will not deter the US from working with our partners in our determined efforts to find a just and lasting peace between Israel and the Palestinians. That being said, not America, not the EU, not the UN, nobody can help the Palestinians achieve statehood if they continue to support terrorism on civilians, and now diplomatic personnel.
Ian, USA

It will change nothing. The cycle of violence will continue unabated. The US will stand with Israel while Europe and the rest of the Middle East will stand mostly with the Palestinians.
Michael, USA

The Palestinian people are perpetuating their own poverty and misery through actions of violence, and this latest event is no exception Jonathan, US

Although this event brings the visceral reality of the conflict much closer to home for some Americans, I do not believe it will have much of a long-term affect on the situation in the Middle East. Other than illuminating the unfortunate regularity with which these bombings are carried out in Israel, this car bombing will not put any more pressure on Arafat and will only reaffirm the hard line position of the Israeli leadership. In essence, although people of both sides of the conflict continue to die in an endless cycle of violence and reprisal, it is the Palestinian people who are perpetuating their own poverty and misery through actions of violence, and this latest event is no exception.
Jonathan, US

US policy has had a devastating impact on the lives and prospects of Palestinians. Why should they believe that the U.S. government is serious about the establishment a viable Palestinian state when it does nothing about Israeli land grabbing under a brutal occupation? How are they supposed to defend their land and rights? We need true, empathetic peace makers. Sharon and Bush impress no one on that score.
J H Bock, Canada

The Palestinians do not attack out of fear or desperation, but out of hope. Seeing the US military stretched thin on several fronts has emboldened the Palestinian terrorists.
Jeremy Wright, USA

Palestinian has been under occupation and living miserable for 50 years. Israel should stop expanding and adding settlements and start demolishing them instead. Israel and the Palestinian land should be monitored by UN peacekeeping forces. Israel was created by UN mandate, why don't the Israelis listen to the UN? We should treat both Israelis and Palestinian in even terms.
Jaime Alcantara, USA

When will they learn that bombs and explosions won't help their causes? Matt, NYC, USA

It is absolutely ridiculous that these attacks are still happening, from both sides, and it's unfathomable to me why both Israel and Palestine can't come to terms with each other's existence. When will they learn that bombs and explosions won't help their causes?
Matt, NYC, USA

For years the PLO have encouraged anti-Americanism. US flags are regularly burnt, as well as effigies of US leaders. When you have such a culture of hatred that is reinforced in the media and in education, it is not surprising that such terror attacks occur. Until such time as this culture of hate is stopped in Palestinian society, there can never be peace.
Nathan, Australia

This attack is just another step into uncontrolled chaos in the Middle East that is caused by unstable establishments and polarised irreversibly by the Israeli/ Palestinian conflict and rising Islamic extremism - it's hopeless.
Abdo Shair, Jordan

We're all victims in this conflict David, Israel

Both sides are guilty in this conflict; it's a circle of blood, circle of revenge. Indeed, perhaps the US is in favour of Israel. However almost all other leaders of western countries do take the Palestinians' side. We're all victims in this conflict. People from both sides get killed on a daily basis.
David, Israel

Perhaps this time when Bush calls for a crackdown on terrorists he might mean it. Israelis suffer this kind of brutality endlessly and many seem to think it's their own fault. Now the target is US citizens perhaps some eyes will be opened.
Antonia Ashworth, New Zealand

The more one-sided we become in our undying support for the Israelis the more violent the Middle East becomes. Now Americans have become the target of factions hostile to our one-sided policy. I hope that President Bush and his conservative government come to their senses before the entire Middle East goes up in conflagration.
James Rush, USA

Sadly, this will most likely make Bush's government even more anti-Palestinian than before. Since this administration refuses to understand that the Middle East (indeed the world) is a complex place and that issues are not simple, it will never be able to facilitate the peace it claims it wants.
Lisa, USA

We shouldn't jump to conclusions as investigations have only started John Win, USA

Why is everyone already concluding that Palestinians were involved in planting the road bomb? Palestinian militant groups always take responsibility for an attack and this time none of them have. We shouldn't jump to conclusions as investigations have only started.
John Win, USA

So, some Palestinian group did it? Where is the proof of that? In any case the Americans are on the side of the Israel; that is not going to change.
Aristides Garcia, The Netherlands

It was an unfortunate event, but before we begin finger pointing at Arafat as we always do, we should try to understand the impact of occupation on the lives of those who live in Palestine. How would we feel if our basic rights were deprived? What would we do if we are stuck in this hopeless situation? And what if we had witnessed the indiscriminate killing of family members or friends?
Philly, USA

Until the Palestinians align themselves behind a leader of the stature of Gandhi or Nelson Mandela, their situation will only worsen. No one is in control there and too many terrorist groups with different agendas are bringing further chaos and bloodshed to the region. It's difficult to see Palestinians now as anything other than a doomed people who have completely lost the capacity to do anything except lash out.
NK, UK

The attack - if indeed was intentional and was carried by a Palestinian group - will only harm the Palestinian cause and drive international sympathy away from the Palestinians. The U.S government however, should understand that it is no longer viewed as a fair intermediate in the Middle East peace efforts after what it has done in the U.N. I hope this attack isn't repeated in the future, because those people who were murdered where people trying to help the Palestinian people.
Mohammed Herzallah, Palestine/living in the US

The Palestinian people have a legitimate reason to voice their anger and dissatisfaction - but such actions as this car bombing are not a good way to win over American (or world) public opinion...
Mike, New York City

To Mike, NY: Because their unilateral politics and preventive (illegal) attacks, the Americans need to understand that the opinion of the rest of the world is very different.
Norberto, Argentina

I would estimate hopes that the US will support a Palestinian state have all but evaporated with this attack. Terrorism will never be rewarded with statehood. It is the absence of terrorism and violence that will be rewarded with statehood. And, I doubt that will ever happen during the lifetime of Arafat.
Jason, USA

This incident does not affect significantly the situation. The only effect might be more reluctance of the Americans to offer aid (like scholarships) to the Palestinians.
S, Switzerland

Until BOTH sides desist from committing atrocities, the peace process will not progress Ian Chapple, Holland

Gaza is effectively under occupation, but every time a terrorist incident occurs, the US and Israel blames Yasser Arafat, despite the Israelis having destroyed his compound and any infrastructure that the Palestinian Authority had. The Israeli government has committed some terrible crimes in the recent past, a fact which seems to go almost unnoticed. Until BOTH sides desist from committing atrocities, the peace process will not progress.
Ian Chapple, Holland

I think it is very difficult to forecast what effect this will have. I think the US will demand some kind of action but this will not be possible without further revealing their lack of neutrality in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. So ultimately there will be an increase in overt US support and apparent kinship with Israel.
Martin, UK

The situation can only get worse if the Palestinians attack diplomats who are trying to help them. Lashing out in their anger and frustration only plays into Israeli hands. If only the Palestinians could step back from the violence and concentrate the world's attention on Israel's oppressive activities and blatant grab for resources...
Geoff Taylor, UK

Nothing will change unless and until terrorists are eliminated once and for all.
Inna Tysoe, USA

The situation already is so bad that it cannot get worse. Although no group has claimed responsibility for the blast as yet, it seems to be in line with the anti-US sentiments prevailing throughout the region.
Ali Asghar Shabbir, Pakistan

This is a never ending struggle between sides that refuse to acknowledge the grievances of the other.
Shawn, Washington, DC, USA

Unless the US shows balance to their dealings with the Palestine/Israel issue, the bombers and terrorists will attack both with impunity.
Brad Kent, Canada

If America had acted impartially from the start then this might not have happened (yesterdays veto was a perfect example). Unfortunately this will only make the US less sympathetic towards the Palestinians and further delay the peace process.
Charles S, UK