Israel must withdraw and cease fire

OF THE countless strikes and counter-strikes between Israel and Palestinian extremists, few could have been more foreseeable – and arguably more avoidable – than Israel's invasion of the Gaza Strip in the opening days of the New Year.

Not only did Israel make no secret of its invasion preparations, but it went to considerable lengths to make clear such an invasion was uppermost in its thinking. Moreover, the six week long changeover period between two American presidents has effec...