This is the real cost of any war!!!

I have always tried to avoid war imagery but I have come to the realization that the more you “cleanse” the concept, the less tragic it becomes. So, I have made it a point not to turn away from these images…seeing these images is a serious reality check! This is the real price of war!

So, as resolutions get drafted that cannot possibly be accepted and political games are played out, more children are dying. These kids are not suffering shock or cuts and bruises…these children are being crushed and burnt. These images are very disturbing but when you dont see these pictures, death tolls are only statistics. This is the reality of what is happening to Lebanon.

Important Points to Consider

Lebanon was enjoying its best touristic season in the past 30+ years and finally had some room to breathe. Israel and Syria benefit from a weakened Lebanese economy.

Hizbollah carried out the operation (July 12th) against an Israeli military position on their own accord. It WAS NOT supported by the Lebanese government. Hizbollah’s official stance is that it was carried out to insure a prisoner exchange. But the attack came after it was evident that the Pentagon was planning to hit Hizbollah (with the help of Israel). A couple months earlier, 2 rockets were fired from inside Leban, presumably to spark the raid, but Hizbollah denied the attack (they are not known to deny any attacks so it was apparent the 2 rockets were fired by some other party).

Israel still has hundreds of Lebanese imprisoned from their prior occupation and operations in Lebanon. Lebanon has no Israeli prisoners.

Israel is not defending itself nor is it trying to rescue the 2 captured soldiers. They are “punishing” Lebanon as stated by one of Israel’s spokespersons – but for what? Lebanon cannot disarm Hizbollah, nor can we get Israel to return occupied lands.

Hizbollah was formed as a reaction to Israel’s invasion of Lebanon in 1982. Their agenda has since shifted after forcing Israel out of Lebanon.

Hizbollah is supported by Syria and Iran. Lebanon does not have the power to disarm Hizbollah. Israel is not attacking Iran or Syria as that would be too costly. Lebanon was an easy target for them – which plays into the hands of Syria as a prosperous Lebanon is unwanted

Israel (IDF) has been hitting roads, bridges, the International airport (multiple times), gas stations, fuel depots, vehicles of fleeing citizens, apartment buildings, trucks containing medical supplies, water drilling equipment, etc.

Lebanon has sustained a loss of an estimated $4 Billion+ to its tourism industry and several billion dollars to its infrastructure that was being rebuilt for the past 15 years (without the carte blanche BILLIONS that Israel receives annually from US tax payers!). The cost in human tragedy, as hundreds of thousands of Lebanese citizens have either fled the country or have found refuge in towns further North, is appaling. Many of the attacks on Southern Beirut have been on apartment buildings that have been turned to rubble. The inhabitants of this area will have no place to return to even after a cease fire.

Lebanon will probably receive a slap in the face “donation” by the US of around $50 million BUT Israel will receive its annual paycheck from the US in the amount of $9 BILLION and probably several hundred million dollars to repair the relatively little damage caused by Hizbollah

There is a land, sea and air blockade imposed on Lebanon by Israel. Lebanon cannot receive supplies from outside. It is increasingly more difficult for Lebanese people to flee and many cities are isolated from one another. Trucks are now being targetted so the transport of goods (food, grain, water, etc from warehouses to supermarkets, pharmacies, etc) from area to area is no longer an option. Essential supplies are starting to dwindle! There is no blocakade on Israel.

An attempt to consolidate info on this tragedy

As I sit on the balcony overlooking the beautiful Lebanese coastline, I cant help but get choked up. I have the luxury of sitting on the balcony in relative safety (as our area has only been affected minorly) as women, children and the elderly are being crushed beneath tons of rubble. Those that escape bombardment are dying of starvation and dehydration in their homes as they have no access to supplies. Red Cross ambulances are being targetted when they try to enter these affected areas. The situation is bleak as an estimated 750 Lebanese civilians have died, over 1000  njured and hundreds of thousands of people have been displaced. A portion of these people have no homes to return to anymore.

The impact on the infrastructure is in the billions…but roads and bridges can be rebuilt. Burnt and obliterated bodies of toddlers cannot.

So, as I battle intense emotions such as pain, saddness, hate, anger, futility etc. I decided to try and inform my friends and acquaintances of the situation in Lebanon (BBC is actually being quite objective). I am consolidating the plethora of information about the war on Lebanon so that people can see what is really going on at a quick glance. If for nothing, this will be a cathartic release for me as I feel helpless. I hope this information will be useful to someone.

Where is the International community??

Lebanon has suffered over 750 deaths, 1500+ injuries and 900,000 displaced…several blows to its infrastructure, a $4 BILLION loss to its tourism industry, the worst environmental disaster (as a result of an Israeli bombing of a coastal power plant’s fuel tanks), and much more! The US says its OKAY. Israel says they are punishing the Lebanese. The International community is against what is happening but is useless in stopping this.