Lebanon Updates

I've been mostly offline for the past few days so I haven't updated in a while. Everyday, we hear of rockets hitting Israel, and missiles pounding Lebanese civilians or Hezbollah locations. After the escalation of striking outside of areas Southern Lebanon and south Beirut it has more or less become an issue of strike and counterstrike. Devastation is found on both sides, although, because of the sophistication of Israel's weaponry the casualties in Lebanon are strikingly more numerous.

As it stands at least 306 people have been killed in Lebanon since Israel's campaign began, according to Lebanese officials. At least 31 Israelis have been killed, including 16 soldiers.

Today is different than the other days though. So with out further ado, here are some Updates: (with short excerpts)

Israel Hints at Full Scale Invasion

BEIRUT, Lebanon (AP) - Israeli troops met fierce resistance from Hezbollah guerrillas Thursday as they crossed into Lebanon to seek tunnels and weapons for a second straight day, and Israel hinted at a full-scale invasion.

Israel warned residents to "immediately" flee a nearly 20-mile swath of south Lebanon along the border. Its warplanes also launched new airstrikes on Beirut's southern suburbs, a Hezbollah stronghold, shortly after daybreak, followed by strikes in the guerrillas' heartland in the south and eastern Bekaa Valley.

The planes also bombed large parts of the south, from which Hezbollah guerrillas fired more rockets into Israel. On Wednesday, Israeli bombings killed as many as 70 people, according to Lebanese television, making it the deadliest day since the fighting began July 12.

The fighting seems fierce and I honestly do not believe that Israel expected the level of resistance they are receiving. The sophistication of Hezbollah's guerilla tactics has caught some Israeli commanders by surprise and is described as reminiscent of Viet Cong tactics used against Americans during the Vietnam War.

The toll in one days bombing is horrendous and it might just get worse for the Lebanese government and its people. I chose my words carefully and here is why:

Lebanese Defense Minister says it is ready to confront Israel ground invasion. The same invasion that is referenced in the first link:

Lebanese Defense Minister Elyas Al-Murr said on Thursday the army was ready to confront any ground attacks by Israel. In a press statement, Al-Murr explained that the Lebanese army is ready for confrontation if Israel decides to conduct a ground operation against Lebanon. Al-Murr's statement was the first of its kind by a member of the Lebanese Cabinet.

This is very disturbing. Up to now, although Israel has put fault on the Lebanese government for the kidnappings, official stated policy was to attack Hezbollah and try to reduce harm to the Lebanese government so as not to destabilize it. Also, the Lebanese government has kept out of the fighting and not sided with Hezbollah.

An Israeli invasion, and the Lebanese promises of a response will mean that the the Lebanese will have been forced to side in this conflict with Hezbollah against its will. It will also mean that Israel will likely start striking at government infrastructure, institutions, and military bases and units. The likelihood of the government of Lebanon falling increases exponentially as a result.

We can expect chaos in any case, but it could lead to closer bonds and working bonds formed between Hezbollah and the government (would it not be ironic if Israel action instead of separating Hezbollah from Lebanon, pushes them closer together?)

The question is: Will President Bush now try and intervene with the Israeli's? An invasion and its consequences do threaten the Lebanese state, so will we see him finally intervene? I just don't know.

Update: I was invited to eat by a friend but I said no 'cause I was writting this post and anyways I ate an hour ago. And the guy was Salvadoran. There, I wrote it. I bet you didn't think I would lol!! You know who you are!!