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The Promise: Was It Worth It?
By Shadi Tabbara, Editor-in-Chief

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia – “Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person 1.” Well, not everyone. It has shown throughout the years that the Lebanese citizens cannot enjoy the most basic right of them all: security. One year has passed since the end of the summer war, and the scars are still evident. With 200,000 current refugees, 4,409 people injured and 1,191 dead, playing risk with the enemy does not seem a very bright idea anymore. But who should we blame? Should we blame Hezbollah who captured the two soldiers and thought [or did not] that this will be just another prisoner exchange act? Or should we blame the [weak] Lebanese government for allowing, in opposition to the 1989 Taif (Saudi Arabia) agreement, the presence of militias running the fate of the country?

Flashback

The conflict began when Hezbollah captured the two hostages (and killed three other Israeli soldiers). When failing to rescue the soldiers and losing five more in the attempt, Israel declared a state of war and started its assault on all the Lebanese soil. Although the Lebanese government stated that it did not excuse Hezbollah, Israel initially held the Lebanese government responsible for Hezbollah’s action but attacked only governmental institutions which it suspected of being used by Hezbollah.

The Lebanese government played a crucial role in the conflict. On July 14, 2006, Prime Minister Siniora issued a statement to the American President George W. Bush, asking him to pressure Israel for a ceasefire. On July 15, 2006, Siniora called for an immediate ceasefire backed by the United Nations. On August 2, 2006, three days after the Qana Massacre on July 30, 2006, the Lebanese government (including all parties back then) issued “The Seven Steps” plan. On August 7, 2006, the plan was modified to include the deployment of 15,000 Lebanese army troops in the southern border to fill the void between the Israeli withdrawal and the UNIFIL deployment. On August 13, 2006, U.N. Security Council, sponsored by the United States and France, issued resolution 1701. On August 17, the Lebanese army began deploying in the South. Finally, on September 8, 2006, the blockade was lifted and between October 1 and December 3, 2006, the Israeli army withdrew totally from Lebanon (excluding the previous occupied Shebaa farms).

The Butchers

During hostilities, the International humanitarian law protects the civilians (especially women and children, since both are considered as the most vulnerable members of the population). However, this law was of course breached by the Israelis. The Israeli Forces executed 57 massacres in only 34 days; here is the list [to remember] of the massacres and the number of victims (citizens):

This was the consequence of taking the risk of war with butchers who do not believe in human rights and breach, on a daily basis, every single law related to war.

In addition to the breach of the Geneva Convention when taking into account the citizens as targets, Israel admitted using phosphorus: "The IDF made use of phosphorus shells during the war against Hezbollah in attacks against military targets in open ground," stated Yakov Edery, Israeli Minister for Government-Parliamentary Relations (Haaretz). In doing so, Israel disregarded the fact that the International Red Cross and other human rights groups had asked to ban phosphorus weapons under the Chemical Weapons Convention (AFP).

The material of “The Butchers” was created by the Higher Relief Council

Recovery and Reconstruction Facts

We have to be frank. Although the Lebanese government took [a lot of] time to start with their reimbursements, today and after one year since the summer war, they have [almost] met their promise as the facts speak louder than words (August 2007):

The material of “Recovery and Reconstruction Facts” was taken from the Higher Relief Council

The Residuals

The aftermath of the war has been even more destructive than the war itself − cluster bombs in the Southern part of the country and the largest oil spill in the Mediterranean Sea.

According to United Nations agencies, Lebanon ended up with more than one million unexploded cluster bombs concentrated in the Southern area of Lebanon (because Israel bought cheap cluster bombs; how is that for an excuse?). These bombs, in addition to their deadly hazard to the population of the south, have resulted in major economic losses due to their spreading in the farms across the whole area. Moreover, the Israeli Air Force (IAF) raid on the Jiyeh power station resulted in the leak of an estimated 12,000 to 15,000 tons (more than four million gallons) of oil into the Mediterranean Sea, and the toxic cloud that have resulted from that raid is believed to increase the risk of cancer in the Lebanese society. This also resulted in the economic loss of fishers and many species such as the green sea turtle and the in-extinction Blue-fin tuna. The Lebanese government estimated the recovery of the Lebanese sea to take up to 10 years, while the United Nations estimated the cost of the initial clean-up to be around $64 million.

What is Next?

“Our choice is clear. We have chosen life... We have overcome wars and destruction over the ages. We shall rise up again." Prime Minister Fuad Siniora (July 26, 2006). Siniora is right. We have chosen life, and we have overcome wars and destruction over the ages. We will rise up again. And then what? Should we always rise again? Or should we once-and-for-all be responsible and take responsible measures to avoid these incidents?

“The Promise 2” has guaranteed two things: human and economic loss. Was it worth it to take the risk of killing all these people to prove how much Hezbollah is powerful? Was it worth it to ruin the summer of the Lebanese and waste tourism, the only source of money for the whole year? Was it worth it to install fear once again in the new generation?

One year later, the answer seems clear. It was not worth it…

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