Update: On Monday, January 18, Israel and Hamas both announced unilateral cease-fires. At least 1,300 Palestinians and 13 Israelis died in the fighting.
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On December 27th, Israel launched an "all-out war" on Hamas in the Gaza Strip in response to Hamas' repeated rocket fire on Israeli towns. With 1.5 million people, however, the Gaza Strip is one of the most densely crowded areas in the world, and Israeli artillery, tank and missile fire can easily cause civilian casualties and deaths.

At least a quarter to one-third of deaths to date have been civilians. And unlike other conflicts where there's a chance to flee the war zone, Gaza itself has become the war zone. There's nowhere else for the population to go.

One example is the recent Israeli attack near a United Nations school in Gaza, killing at least 30 among the hundreds who had sought refuge at the school from the fighting.

Israel has the right to defend itself against Hamas rocket attacks, but this war is a disproportionate response, placing thousands of civilians at risk of injury and death. So far, Israel has resisted international calls for a ceasefire. Please urge the U.S. to use its influence to convince Israel to agree to a ceasefire.

On December 27th, Israel launched an "all-out war" on Hamas in the Gaza Strip in response to Hamas' repeated rocket fire on Israeli towns. But with 1.5 million people, however, the Gaza Strip is one of the most densely crowded areas in the world, and artillery, tank and missile fire can easily cause civilian casualties and deaths.

At least a quarter to one-third of deaths to date have been civilians. And unlike other conflicts where there's a chance to flee the war zone, Gaza itself has become the war zone. There's nowhere else for the population to go.

In addition, water, fuel and electricity are in short supply, and hospitals are filled to capacity and straining to meet the needs of the wounded. Humanitarian relief systems are functioning poorly do the difficulty of suppliers and ambulances moving around.

There is no denying that Hamas' rocket attacks are indiscriminate weapons that do not distinguish between military and civilian targets. But the recent Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip are a disproportionate response, and unduly place thousands of civilians at risk of injury and death.

So far, Israel has resisted international calls for a ceasefire, so I urge you to use the influence of the United States and its special relationship to Israel to convince them to agree to a ceasefire.

Sincerely,
[Your name here]