Wars have been fought, uprisings have been raged and countless lives, mostly Palestinian, have been lost in the name of historical claims and religious antagonism. The place that much of the world considers holy has been subjected to the unholiest of circumstances, making a mockery of the religious teachings that are supposed to guide and enlighten us.

The latest chapter in this sad history is the recent Israeli airstrikes on Gaza, an aggression that is conveniently justified by pointing to the firing of rockets on Israeli territory by Hamas. While the Israelis have every right to defend their country, the world cannot ignore the circumstances that have led up to the actions of Hamas, circumstances perpetrated on Gaza by the Israeli government to show the world why they needed to invade in the first place: a cynical, circular kind of military and political planning meant to blind the rest of the world to their true intentions: to destroy Hamas and delay the implementation of a lasting peace.

What are the circumstances that led to the explosion of Palestinian frustration in Gaza? Why has Hamas been firing rockets into Israel?

For months now, the Israelis have imposed a total blockade on Gaza’s borders, preventing food and medicine from reaching the territory and causing hunger and hardship among the civilian population. In addition, Palestinian laborers, who once crossed daily into Israel to work, are barred from crossing the border and can no longer support their families. Travel outside Gaza, even to neighboring Egypt, is almost impossible. In other words, the people of Gaza are so hamstrung they can no longer lead normal lives.

The result of such desperation should be quite clear to the world by now: hopelessness breeds hatred which leads to rocket attacks, suicide bombers and other acts of terrorism (some would say resistance) that further threaten Israel’s security.

How then to break this cycle? How to guarantee peace and security for Israelis and Palestinians alike?

The first step must be an immediate truce, something the Israelis are resisting as they attempt to break the back of Hamas. Hamas is willing to enter into a ceasefire, but only if the Israelis lift their blockade on Gaza. Regardless of what either side believes, this first step needs to be taken immediately. Palestinians are in desperate need of food, shelter and medicine. And they need to be allowed to cross into Israel, as they once did, in order to work.

Second, Hamas must be disarmed. This step will guarantee security for Israel and remove any pretexts for further aggression on its part. Reconciliation between Hamas and Fatah also needs to occur so Palestinians can negotiate a final and lasting peace agreement in unity.

Third, the United States must become a full-fledged participant in the peace process and, more importantly, it must finally act as an honest broker. Once Obama is inaugurated, the United States must renew its role in the peace process, and it must not be afraid to put pressure on Israel to come to the table honestly. On the other hand, the Palestinians need be offered enough incentives to enter into peace and enough guarantees that their concerns will be addressed. And neither they nor the Israelis should be allowed to leave until an agreement has been reached.

We have all seen the results of this endless conflict: instability in the region, unpopular regimes whose legitimacy comes only from their expressed support for Palestine and their antagonism towards Israel, recurring wars, invasions and worldwide terrorism. Al-Qaida’s birth and popularity are a direct result of this conflict, and the Taliban in Afghanistan and the regime in Iran owe it a great debt. If peace can be established between the Israelis and the Palestinians, these other conflicts will wither away, rogue regimes will lost their legitimacy and the threat of more serious wars will inch back a bit.

As we start this New Year, let us strive for a true and lasting peace. Let us hope that the voices of reason and justice will prevail. Let us pray, in whatever fashion we choose, that the Holy Land will once again be worthy of that name. The alternative is not something I wish to contemplate.