Another exchange of rocket fire, another flattening of a frontier town, another period of killing and, finally (following the usual voicing of concern by the UN) another ceasefire. To be followed in a short while, no doubt, by a repeat performance. Such is the reality of life in the Middle East.

The latest ceasefire between Israel and the Hamas ruling party of Gaza, announced a couple of days ago, is yet another in a near constant struggle following the creation of the new state of Israel, and subsequent displacement of Palestinians, back in 1948. No matter who is to blame, and whatever the views of many western politicians, the problem is deep-rooted, extremely complicated and is unlikely to be solved without a great deal of compromise and sacrifice from all concerned.

The tragedy of Israel and Palestine is that, as always in struggles for power and control, the victims are the same. Those who suffer most are never the politicians, the religious leaders, the generals and the men of power. No, the people who shed their blood and who lose their homes and meagre possessions are the poor, the weak , the vulnerable and (such an irony) those who want peace the most, the women, the children and the fathers and husbands working hard to support them.

Jew, Arab or Christian, it makes no difference. Most people in the world wish only to be left alone to get on with making the best of what, for many, is a short and often difficult time on this planet. The tragedy is that, for many, it is a wish that will never come true. They remain pawns locked in a deadly power game over which they have no control.