It's a beautiful life!

Day 7

Another day dawns on the escalated violence in the Middle East. While the murderous offensives continue, the humanitarian crisis deepens and there is no rest.

Hundreds of innocent lives were lost so far, on both sides of the conflict, yet it seems that world leaders are still trying to decide who should take responsibility for resolving it. The G8 summit concluded today with a unanimous decision to stop the violence, but there was no consensus on how to do that. The always-articulate Blair could only offer what we already know - that “the situation is really dangerous”. Bush unwittingly disclosed his view that Syria should pressure Hezbollah to “stop this shit” and as much as I hate to hear, let alone approve of anything he says – I’m inclined to agree (with half of it anyway!) This can’t be allowed to go on. Hezbollah’s war is not Lebanon’s war. They might have been heroes when they forced Israel out of southern Lebanon, but that was then. Lebanon now was basking in its summer, quite content that foreigners once again wanted to vacation there and I’m certain that the sudden mass exodus was not part of their immediate plan.

Israel (and any other state for that matter) has a right to defend itself. The southern part of Lebanon remained a Hezbollah stronghold and it (including an airport) has been battered by Israel as punishment. That’s not acceptable, not even as a “measured response”. Many civilians have been left to fend for themselves now that people can’t get out and help can’t get to them because the connecting bridges and roads have been destroyed. The air and sea blockades have also deprived them of fuel and essential supplies.

Hezbollah responded by bombing Haifa and continue to threaten attack of other cities. In a country where they face criticism, they are still a strong and well disciplined organization and with the support of Iran and Syria, they seem confident that they can take whatever is thrown at them; but that right there - that’s the problem. The attacks are destroying the Lebanese people and their homeland. Hezbollah now has longer range missiles apparently supplied by Iran. This fuels suspicion that the IRI is waging a proxy war and using Lebanon as its battlefield. They won’t be the first to do such a distasteful thing (refer to American foreign policies) but that doesn’t make it any more acceptable.

Israel’s entire existence has been defined by war and Hezbollah guerrillas are used to war, so fear and defiance is nothing new for either of them. Without a ceasefire, life in a country sealed off from the rest of the world could only be intolerable (like Gaza) . Western countries are moving their nationals out of Lebanon but UN deployment is necessary to secure a humanitarian corridor and create a lifeline for the ones who remain. Who would make up that force and how long will it take to stop the loss of innocent lives?

On the 7th day, we wait…

posted by S.M. @ 9:55 pm