FOR the briefest of moments yesterday, peace came to Gaza. Sadly, after a short lull, the cycle of death and destruction resumed last night.

Predictably, both sides blamed each other.

Hamas refuses to accept any ceasefire in which the Israeli military remains in Gaza. Israel says it will not withdraw until it has destroyed the cross-border tunnels which, it says, are a conduit for kidnappings and murders.

So the fighting goes on.

Neither side will emerge from this terrible situation with their reputations intact. For the most part, the actions of both sides are selfdefeating.

The Israelis have known about the tunnels for many years (two soldiers were killed during a cross-border incursion via a tunnel in 2006) and no doubt they will destroy many of them. But when the Israeli soldiers withdraw Hamas will start digging again.

At best, the actions of the Israeli Defence Force will buy some time before a new network of tunnels is in place. At worse, they will only make things much worse.

Every one of the children who see their parents killed and their homes destroyed by Israeli soldiers will grow up with anger in their hearts. How many will join the war in future?

By sending its tanks and soldiers into Gaza the Israeli government creates another generation of Palestinian fighters. Its heavy-handed actions are the best recruitment campaign Hamas could hope for.

If Israel wants long-term peace and security, it needs a politician prepared to do the unthinkable – to seek common ground with its enemies.

The Northern Irish peace process showed the world that such a thing is possible – but is there anyone, on either side, prepared to give peace a chance in Gaza?

There are no winners in a conflict which leaves so many innocent people dead.