Sir - I have read many letters in the Worcester News expressing sorrow about the conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.

I share that sorrow, but we must not allow ourselves to forget the central reason for the conflict.

No democracy anywhere in the world could continue to allow a terrorist organisation from a neighbouring country to fire thousands of missiles at its civilians and to dig tunnels under its border with the aim of sending terrorists to enter their country and to kill civilians.

This has been going on for nine years, ever since Israel withdrew from Gaza, it withdrew its forces and settlements in exchange for peace, no occupation of Gaza exists.

Hamas responded with war and terrorism. Israel must respond, it has no choice. It has the right to protect itself from Hamas who continue to advocate genocide as a means of destroying Israel.

Yes it is to be regretted that the innocent have been killed, but ceasefire after ceasefire has been offered and rejected by Hamas, the missiles still keep coming.

Hamas are now using the deaths of its own civilians as a weapon against Israel.

We have a duty to consider the human disaster that is unfolding, but we also have a duty to understand, sympathise and help those Israeli children who on average have just fifteen seconds to reach a shelter before the next missile from Gaza hits their neighbourhood.

Hamas want an end to the blockade, but the blockade is only in place from both Israel and Egypt, to try to stop more missiles from entering Gaza. Only weapons of war are stopped.

The basic fact is if Hamas stop firing missiles the conflict would stop.

The solution has be a long term agreement based on two states sharing the land and on Hamas and Israel accepting that both have a right to exist.

Richard Udall

Worcester