Views on…
What? Ceasefire
When? After 34 days of fighting between israel and Hizballah ..
and of course now everyone and their mother has a view on the ceasefire, who came out the winner, who came out the loser, lessons to be learned, bla, bla, bla …and of course I too have an opinion of my own which I shared on some blogs, with friends, family, co-workers and even random people on the elevator …
Some Facts:
Lebanese deaths:
About 1,000 - mostly civilians
No precise data on Hezbollah dead
israeli deaths:
Soldiers: 114 (IDOF)
Civilians: 43 (IDOF)
Lebanese displaced:
700,000 - 900,000 (UNHCR; Lebanese govt)
israeli displaced:
500,000 (Human Rights Watch)
Lebanon damage:
$2.5bn (Lebanese govt)
israel damage:
$1.1bn (Israeli govt)
Some Opinions:
Haitham: Israel claimed that they are going to war to return their two prisoners of war; however, their aggression was way beyond what one could imagine. It had nothing to do with the PoW; it is a Terrorist State that can’t live but on blood of others. Unlike Olmert, Sayyed Nasrallah promised and fulfilled his promises; VICTORY!
Naseem: After such a long history of Israeli occupation and atrocities in Palestine the region’s people have been begging for a military victory and Hizballah has offered that. Images of bloody Israeli soldiers retreating coupled with images of Israel’s high ratio killing of women and children have served as an affirmation of some sense of justice and vengeance the likes of which have been absent for the longest time. Not to mention that most of the 150 Israelis killed were soldiers as opposed to the high number of Lebanese civilians killed. And we are talking about mostly unguided katyusha rockets in the face of tanks, jets, missiles and bombs.
Hamzeh: There is no Israeli defeat in this war. This was simply a war of aggression started by Israel. A war that neither the Lebanese government nor Hizballah chose to take part in. Nothing Hizballah did (or could have done more) would have affected Israel in anyway. All it could do is resist Israel and let them know that it’s not free. Really the only defeat that we can talk about in terms of Israel is if Israel found the war unsustainable (which is similar to what happened in 2000 when Israel finally decided to leave the south). But on the other hand, this war was unsustainable for the Lebanese from day one. God knows how long Israel could have chosen to stay in this war if it weren’t for the pressure from the international community.
Bush: Hezbollah attacked Israel. Hezbollah started the crisis, and Hezbollah suffered a defeat in this crisis. Hezbollah, of course, has got a fantastic propaganda machine, and they’re claiming victories. But how can you claim victory when, at one time, you were a state within a state, safe within southern Lebanon, and now you’re going to be replaced by a Lebanese army and an international force?
Olmert: The state within a state and terror organisation in southern Lebanon had been destroyed (He and Bush are sharing the same notes!). We will continue pursuing them [Hizballah)anywhere, all the time and we do not intend to apologise or ask anyone's permission
Rihab: This was crap while it lasted, glad it's over, israel lost the battle, political aftermath yet to be determined, but glad it stopped here coz it could've been worse, but thanks to Hizbollah for stopping it from expanding. and people who believe israel won this battle are deluded.
Benjamin Netanyahu: There were many failures, failures in identifying the threat, failures in preparing to meet the threat, failures in the management of the war, failures in the management of the home front.
And here are some views - which to me - are more representative of the people both Lebanese and israelis who were directly impacted by this war:
Natalie El Jneinati: [Lebanon] The way we view Hezbollah is complicated. Nobody talks about it. Some people approve of Hezbollah but don’t want the war. I think we were all shocked by the weapons Hezbollah has. We underestimated the situation at the start. I am lucky. I have a home and a job. I’m still living my life. So many people’s lives have changed.
Dr. Nimrod Rahamimov: [Nahariya, israel] I don’t think any problem has been solved. Everyone was stunned that we didn’t finish Hezbollah off as we expected. This has to be investigated. I think there should be changes both in government and in the military command.
Kassem Jouni: [Lebanon] I’m so happy the ceasefire happened. But I’m so afraid the israelis will bomb people. They are still on our land. israel achieved nothing. Her goal was to get back the two soldiers, but she didn’t get them. Hezbollah has gained authority in Lebanon. It has united the Lebanese people.
Ronen Shamir: [Tel Aviv] It’s a very confusing predicament. The way it has been done leaves a strong sense that it was a mistake to go to war. Firstly, the declaration that the war was to release the soldiers. Now they are going to negotiate the release - but they could have done that before. Crushing Hezbollah also didn’t succeed for sure. Israel failed in its military goals. Hezbollah is not going to capitulate. For a whole month many people were killed. A lot of territory was destroyed. A redundant war that could have been avoided. Nobody’s celebrating, I can tell you that.
Lebanon…Live On … Live Strong…
The Gems of the East are her land and sea.
Throughout the world her good deeds flow from pole to pole.
And her name is her glory since time began.
Immortality’s Symbol–the Cedar–is her Pride.
All of us! For our Country, for our Flag and Glory!
