PETER MULLEN suggests that the Israelis have no option but to keep on killing innocent citizens (Echo, July 22), including a large number of children.

This is nonsense. They have a very clear option and that is to cease imposing the blockade and to stop treating the Gaza strip as one vast open-air prison. This would immediately mean that they stopped defying a huge number of UN resolutions which condemn their actions. It would also allow the passage of desperately needed medical supplies and fresh water, which is not freely available to the Palestinians.

The Israelis could also dismantle all checkpoints and if a defensive ‘wall’ is needed, build it on their own legally owned land instead of Palestinian territory.

John Severs, Durham.