More war is not the answer

After barely a week of a ceasefire that saw hostages released and desperately needed humanitarian aid flow into Gaza, war and violence have returned unabated. Rockets and bombs once again fill the air. Aid will no doubt slow to a trickle. And hostages will remain exactly where they are.

It need not be this way. There was positive momentum building toward a permanent ceasefire, something everyone must agree is urgently needed.

The ceasefire negotiations, aid deliveries, and release of hostages show the power of dialogue. Weapons did not bring them about.

More war is not the answer. In truth, there is no military solution to this crisis. It’s critical that Rep. Russ Fulcher and Sens. Mike Crapo and James Risch publicly call for a ceasefire to finally bring an end to the violence. Only once the shooting stops for good can we address the root causes of the conflict. Without that, there is only more war in the future.

MAKAYLA SUNDQUIST

Kootenai