This story is nothing new.

Some rockets flying one way, an air strike going back at them; the most recent flair-up of Middle East violence is lamentable, but not particularly surprising.

A new chapter of conflict was recently begun as the cease-fire was broken and violence has been concentrated on the Gaza Strip, the Hamas-governed Palestinian quarter, and surrounding areas of Israel.

I could rattle facts to you about the history of the bloody past of Israel and Palestine.

However, you probably know much of the long, weary story.

The million-dollar question is still: what will bring lasting peace to the Middle East?

Both sides are convinced of their right to be where they are.

Israel and Palestine were granted land in 1947 by the United Nations, according to their Web site.

Since then, the possession of land in the area has been disputed through multiple wars.

Both sides believe themselves justified in returning the fire that is hurled upon them and their innocent civilians.

Because, yes, both sides experience innocent casualties.

Conflict is not simple, and regardless of whether you support Israel or Palestine, both of them have killed children and non-military personnel.

Neither is all right or all wrong, and for this reason the fighting persists.

There is, however, another way.

It has been denounced as idealistic, and praised as the only hope for peace.

Someone has to lay down their arms.

Either Israel or the Gaza Strip must stop the violence.

Preferably, both.

If they thought that shooting rockets and dropping bombs was going to stop the hurt they had been incurring for so long, that has long since been proved wrong.

If either group thought that they would eventually secure the land for themselves and their posterity in a permanent way that has been denied as well.

War breeds more war.

If either Israel or Palestine was to stop - JUST stop - the global community would be willing to help them heal the wounds.

We live in a world that values peace when we can find those precious pockets of it.

It is time for hurts to end; yes, that means stepping out and being vulnerable and accepting concessions, and a lot of other things neither Israel nor the Gaza Strip really are antsy for.

However, it will mean, in the long run, less of their citizens killed.

The governments need this wake-up call: they are there to promote the interests of their people, and allowing this conflict to continue to kill their citizens is simply unconscionable.

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