Israel and Hezbollah 2006 part 3

continued from Israel - Hezbollah part 2

But I digress. This conflict is a fore-shadowing of what will come. Civilian casualties are significant. I especially find attacks on Red Cross/Crescent vehicles to be deplorable. But alleged use of metal-ball bearing warheads, incendiaries, and deplete-uranium weapons are equally deplorable. Each of these weapons, missiles targeted on non-military targets in general, and suicide attacks are no better. The outcome is only further fighting.

I agree that every nation has a right to defend itself. Aggressive defense is an option. Pursuing that defense is a sovereign right. There is a fine line though, proportionality is a key point. No nation has a right to drop a nuke to defend against a car bomb. No nation or group has a right to attack innocents. Military and military targets are legitimate, but sending a text message or dropping a leaflet before striking civilians or a civilian site is not.

The fact that this entire conflict started from the kidnapping of 2 soldiers and the death of 8 others is amazing. It shows, to me, how the underlying problems have never been resolved. So many generations have lost loved ones and fueled hatred that any incident is provocation for violence on a large scale. Both sides need to stop and talk. This may not end the cycle, but it can abate the senseless murder of civilians.

I do not profess to know the answer to this situation. I do not claim to understand the nuances. But to support either side blindly, based on prejudice or misinformation is a costly mistake. To assume either side is justified completely in its actions is to obscure the truth.

This is what I think, what do you think?

For part 1

For part 2