Dubai/ Abu Dhabi/ Fujairah: More than 820 Palestinians were killed during the attacks that have engulfed Gaza for more than two weeks.
According to health officials, most of those killed were civilians.
Meanwhile, Israel and Hamas continued to exchange rocket attacks over the weekend as the United Nations Security Council called for an "immediate" and "durable" ceasefire in Gaza.
In a recent Gulf News poll, 32 per cent of respondents said the only way to stop the current attacks in Gaza is by US intervention, 28 per cent said a ceasefire from both sides would be needed, 22 per cent said it can be done through international diplomatic efforts, and 18 per cent said it needs Arab diplomatic efforts.
City Talk took to the streets and asked residents what they think it will take to stop the attacks in Gaza.
Therence Abelilla, Filipina waitress, 24, said: "The United Nations should help both parties and I believe they are the right people for the job. The UN is unbiased and they will be able to help broker a ceasefire for the attacks to stop."
Ali Khalil Qasim, airline staff member from Egypt, 26, said: "There should be proper pressure from the Arab governments and not just words of condemnation. All ties with Israel should be stopped and talk of peace initiatives is now just hot air. There are many ways of putting pressure, not just on Israel but on the US and the EU who can do much more, but unfortunately the internal political divide has overshadowed the humanitarian concerns in this case. The best option is for the people to do their part and boycott American and EU products and to continue to put pressure on their governments to act."
Badria Al Moustafa, a medical technician from Lebanon, 53, said: "A ceasefire is the most important step to take right now, following that can come diplomatic talks and US intervention. Look at how many women and children are suffering and dying each day. This has to stop immediately and a ceasefire is the number one step to take at this point of time."
Jamal Mohammad Hussain, an Egyptian shop manager, 28, said: "Most of the international community has shown a lack of ability or will to end the Israeli aggression on Gaza, so only the people's power can make some difference now. If people stop buying American and EU goods then that could spring them into action to do their job in ending this bloodbath.
"Arab governments could also do more such as stopping [the supply] of petrol and gas, like in 1973, but I doubt that will happen because they themselves are divided over this issue. Governments who have dealings with Israel should at least cut off all contacts, including following the example of Venezuela which dismissed the Israeli ambassador."
Bilal Sattot, a hairdresser from Syria, 25, said: "Nobody can help to stop the attacks, not the US and not the Arab Summit. Government leaders are only good for talking and they are not helping at all. I do not think that a ceasefire will be possible to achieve and that it will take a long time for the attacks to stop."
Ebru Al Khodragi, a German supervisor, 30, said: "International diplomacy is needed because if America was going to interfere then they would have already done it. The Arabs should unite and show their people that they are taking a stand against the aggression. Unfortunately not much is being done except a lot of talking."
Hassan Taha, a financial representative, Egypt, 28, said: "Diplomatic talks will help stop the current attacks in Gaza. The current situation requires diplomacy, and anything in the world, whether it's politics or economics is dealt through rational conversations.
"The whole world is in one basket, all countries are inter-related and need each other's support. It does not make sense to act as an individual country and discard others."
Sobheya Al Masry, a Palestinian senior official working in the environment awareness sector, said: "The US is already intervening but we need a permanent and fair solution to this ongoing problem, not just a temporary decision for a ceasefire.
"US intervention alone is not a solution, it has to come along with diplomatic talks and positive steps based on past experiences among the Palestinians. There should be an agreement between Hamas and Israel on what America is presenting to them," she said.
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