LONDON, April 4: Israel’s military action is only fuelling the cycle of violence in the Middle East, human rights group Amnesty International said Wednesday, repeating its call for monitors to protect civilians.

In a statement in London, it said the international community appeared to have remained “paralysed” nearly 18 months into the intifada, during which more than 1,200 Palestinians and 300 Israelis had been killed.

“The international community is making strong statements. It must also take action,” Amnesty urged.

“For the sake of Palestinian and Israeli civilian lives, it is time that the international community put pressure on the Israeli government to accept international human rights monitors in Israel and the Occupied Territories.”

The human rights group recalled that it had also condemned suicide bombings by Palestinian militants, but said that they did not provide an excuse to harm civilians.

“The logic of revenge and reprisals has brought only misery and insecurity. Israel must recognise that respect for fundamental human rights is both a legal obligation and a way out of the cycle of blood-letting.”

Amnesty said the Israeli army had arrested more than 1,000 Palestinians in the past five days.—AFP