Pain of Gaza war lingers

It's been a year since Israel's devastating war on the Gaza strip that caused many military and civilian casualties. The images and accounts of the devastation remain vivid in many people's minds.

The Gaza war lasted three weeks, killing 1,300 Palestinians, most of them civilians including scores of children.

Yuli-Yoel Edelstein, Israeli Minister of Information, said, "Each and every government around the world should protect its people. No government, left wing, right wing, centrist, national unity should allow it to continue."

The offensive brought international criticism. Many argue the brutality severely damaged Israel's image.

Prof. Yaacov Barsimantou, Hevrew University of Jerusalem, said, "Of course there is a cost to the Israeli image after the war in Gaza, because the main issue of course is the outcomes of the war in terms of casualties and damages."

A Palestinian stands in front of Israeli soldiers during a protest in the West Bank village of Bilin near Ramallah against Israel's offensive in Gaza January 8, 2009.REUTERS/Eric Gaillard