Gaza’s resources are driving the conflict with Israel

Readers react to the carnage in Gaza. Other views: MH17 victims, petrol hoses, healthy Dubai, rail crossings and chocolate mosque.

A reader says direct talks will find a resolution for refugees like this family in Gaza. Photo: Heidi Levine / The National

There have been lots of ill informed people who have responded to your coverage of Israel's attack on Gaza ('No Eid for Gaza this year', July 24) by trying to justify 67 years of brutal occupation, land theft, ethnic cleansing and genocide.

I wonder how they would like it if it happened to their own families?

This is not about Hamas but about Israel desperately wanting the natural resources of Gaza, which are worth billions.

Israel would be nothing without the US’s billions of dollars of military assistance.

Aziza Al Busaidy, Dubai

Reading your coverage of Israel’s attacks on Gaza makes my heart feel like it would burst with all the emotions it stirs in me.

Day after day, I read stories of the atrocities that are occurring in the besieged Palestinian territory. It seems like it’s only getting worse.

I cannot believe that I’m enjoying Ramadan while my brothers and sisters elsewhere are being killed by shelling or fleeing for their lives in their own homeland.

I’m simultaneously shocked and devastated that world leaders have grown to become so callous and desensitised to wars and human suffering that they are actually letting this continue until Israel decides to stop.

I’m sure I’m not the only one who is filled with tears and such helplessness as well as filled with rage that the Israelis know that they can get away with it every time.

Name withheld by request

So many innocent people are being killed every day in Gaza by the Israelis but the US has decided to only “mount pressure” on Israel.

This is equal to doing nothing. The world can only condemn these blatant injustices. This is unbearable.

Abbas Naqvi, Ras Al Khaimah

MH17 victims get dignity, eventually

The Netherlands needs to be thanked for giving due respect to the mortal remains of the victims of the disaster in Ukraine (Bodies of MH17 victims leave Ukraine for the Netherlands, July 23).

There was much procrastination and prevarication on returning the bodies of the victims. The military honour accorded to them on their return to Netherlands, with the country’s king, queen and prime minister present at the airport, ­bestowed dignity to the victims.

In a world torn apart by power mongering, I would like to thankthem for restoring some faith in human values.

Rajendra Aneja, Dubai

Longer hoses, or less impatience?

With regard to your story, Longer hoses to shorten queues for petrol at Enoc service stations (July 23), the problem is not with the hose length, which is already long enough.

The problem is attendants refuse to fill up now unless the tank is positioned next to the right pump.

Sougata Nandi, Dubai

Or people could just fill up at a time when there are not as many cars at the service station.

Carolyn Rogers, Abu Dhabi

Gold is not the way to a healthier Dubai

After reading your article, 25,000 sign up to win gold in Dubai weight loss competition (July 24), I wonder if, as claimed, this really is paying people to be healthy.

How many of these people will regain the weight and then get paid at next year’s Ramadan to lose it again.

Why don’t they help the people who already live a healthy life style to act as role models to encourage those who don’t?

Name withheld by request

This initiative seems entirely inappropriate. If they really want to help then they should educate people and change their mindset, not give them gold.

Michelle Salem, Dubai

Uncontrolled rail crossings at fault

It was sad and painful to read your story, India train rams school bus killing 20, mostly children (July 25).

Most railway level crossings in India are not controlled by gates and it seems likely that that was the main contributing factor in this tragedy.

The authorities should look into this important issue and make essential changes as soon as they can so that similar tragedies will not occur again.

K Ragavan, US

Chocolate mosque is the wrong priority

In reference to your news article, Chocolate replica of Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque at Hilton in Abu Dhabi (July 23), my reaction is that this is an unfortunate waste of money.

How many vital medical supplies could that buy for the people of Gaza? Some people don’t seem to use their heart enough.

Hediah Kadous, Sharjah