While the prospects for calm in the region remain distant, the Palestinian people are cautiously awaiting the visit of US envoy to the Middle East, Anthony Zinni, in the hope that a substantial, and even-handed, assessment of the current conflict will constructively pave the way for an end to violence.

Essentially, the US visit should address the immediate causes of the conflict, with a clear vision for the eventual resumption of Palestinian-Israeli negotiations. It is imperative that the Zinni mission tackles the issues directly contributory to the cycle of violence; namely Israel's provocation and incitement against the Palestinian National Authority, the use of harsh military measures against Palestinian civilians, the multiple siege on Palestinian areas throughout the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, and the illegal construction and expansion of Jewish settlements on Palestinian land.

Without a realistic approach to the conflict, thus a real initiative to address the 'causes' of conflict, a return to the political process will remain distant, at the expense of more bloodshed and violence.

For the past 15 months, the Palestinian-Israeli conflict has taken yet another bitter turn into an endless cycle of violence; the Zinni visit should be materialized into immediate action to reverse this cycle and open new alleys for the resumption of the political process and reestablishment of dialogue.

The provocation of Sharon's government, through escalation and premeditated military operations against the Palestinians, must not be allowed to derail the initiatives for peace; the Israeli people must realize that the security of the entire region can only be reached by a real effort to end the occupation and provide justice for the Palestinians.