The truce that exposed Israel's cruelty

By Heidi Osuna

More than 50 days of the devastating conflict between Israel and Hamas have left an indelible scar on history, one of the most heinous war crimes against civilians in this century. Finally, however, a ray of hope came to Gaza and Israel. After so much civilian suffering, a truce was reached, allowing 315 civilians to return home. Among them, 105 hostages kidnapped by Hamas - 81 Israelis and 24 foreigners - while Israel released 210 Palestinian prisoners who had been imprisoned without trial or reason, all women and children.

This pause has been a balm in a nightmare scenario and has represented a transcendental opportunity. It has been an opportunity to bring humanitarian aid and keep alive the possibility of peace by allowing 315 people to be reunited with their families and loved ones.

Nearly two months into the conflict, the world has witnessed the cruelty Israel has inflicted on civilians, both its own citizens and Palestinians. Today Gaza is the most dangerous place in the world to be a child, according to UNICEF, at least 4,324 children have been killed by indiscriminate attacks. A place where Israel has turned UN shelters into death traps and hospitals into sinister battlefields.