You report (28 December) warnings of a possible Israeli offensive on Gaza. In the three years since Operation Cast Lead, the effect is clear: there has been a 72% decline in the number of rockets launched from Hamas-controlled Gaza. However, that still amounts to 1,571 rockets launched. This is anything but "sporadic". These attacks undermine the alleged "attempt by Hamas" to enforce a ceasefire among Gaza's militant groups. Israel has the moral and legal right to protect its citizens.

Amir Ofek

Embassy of Israel

• Condemnation is quite right (Peres condemns Israel's ultra-orthodox groups after protesters spit at schoolgirl, 28 December). But in occupied Hebron, Zionist settlers routinely spit on Palestinian children leaving Qurduba school. I have seen small Palestinian children having rocks thrown at them. Chillingly, I have seen a settler child of no more than five spitting at Palestinian kids – with the Israeli army looking on. When will these daily assaults be condemned by Peres?

Mike Davies

Leeds

• Richard Rogers refers to US cities with "colossal malls on freeways leaving city centres derelict and desolate (Letters, 27 December). What he doesn't describe is the next stage as one mall is followed by another, leaving a string of dead and dying malls strewn along the highway.

Professor Anthony King

Bristol

• I am struck by how the Christian conception of heaven is so much like North Korea (Eyewitness, 29 December): eternal rule by the great leader, his son and cronies; and the masses endlessly singing his choreographed praises. Heaven, at least, has solved the problems of food shortages and disease.

Jonathan Williams

Blackburn, Lancashire