John Cusack and Selena Gomez join Gaza, Israel debate

Hollywood stars including Selena Gomez and John Cusack have shared their views on the Gaza conflict, that continues to escalate with more reports of civilian casualties.

Earlier this week, Selena Gomez made two separate calls on her Twitter and Instagram for the violence to end:

Please pray for those families and babies today. Please always remember what's important in life. It's… http://t.co/sLVRg9J4n1

— Selena Gomez (@selenagomez) July 19, 2014

And of course to be clear, I am not picking any sides. I am praying for peace and humanity for all! http://t.co/zvrhGRtejy

— Selena Gomez (@selenagomez) July 19, 2014

Over the past day, John Cusack has been actively engaged in the debate, sharing people's thoughts, and the latest news on the conflict, adding his own view.

Bombing people who can't escape not defense - does not mean one supports Hamas means to be against murder as solution to political problem

— John Cusack (@johncusack) July 23, 2014

.@johncusack I am grieving for those Palestinian just as you are. But these articles you're tweeting are just as biased as the US media

— The Dishmaster (@TheDishmaster) July 24, 2014

propaganda? to be grieved by murder-? thought that was healthy…on any “ side” whatever that means.i don’t support killing @TheDishmaster

— John Cusack (@johncusack) July 24, 2014

The mood is far from positive from the general feedback of readers engaged on Twitter, while the UN issued a statement a short while ago saying that one of its shelters had been bombed by Israeli jets despite consultations with the government about its location ahead of time.

Meanwhile the debate swirls in the media about the Gaza conflict with publications and journalists becoming increasingly hostile to Israel's military action. Despite the barrage of rockets being fired into Israel from Hamas militants, there is growing concern that the conflict is becoming a much wider humanitarian disaster whilst fueling anti-Jewish sentiment.

Entertainment figures have largely avoided making statements or opinions about the conflict thus-far, but the longer it goes on, the more help the citizens of Gaza are going to need from international donors. Despite the criticism that Selena Gomez received this week following her Gaza message, she was visibly the only high profile Hollywood figure to make a statement. Will others follow in her footsteps?