Much has been made of the fact that Hamas refused to accept the truce proposed by Egypt. Yet it is strange that western politicians and the western media have been so silent about the ten-point Hamas proposals. They are perfectly reasonable and would lead to an immediate ceasefire and negotiations on a solution that would make life much better for both the people of Gaza and Israel. None of these demands are new and the UN and NGOs have continually called for some of these including the lifting of the crippling siege."

He continued: "Accepting these proposals as a basis for negotiations does not in any way represent a de-facto support for Hamas or its military tactics. The fact is that they are very reasonable demands. UNWRA spokesmen, the head of the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights and even many media reporters in Gaza have all noted this week that the situation in Gaza cannot go back to the status quo. Life was intolerable before this recent Israeli onslaught, now it is a living hell. The Irish Government should support a ceasefire and negotiations on the basis of these ten points instead of staying silent like it disgracefully did at the UN vote on an enquiry this week. One has to wonder how many more Palestinian women and children need to be killed or injured before Israel and western Governments come to their senses and stop this slaughter."

More on the Hamas proposal can be read here - http://mondoweiss.net/2014/07/deafening-silence-proposal.html