War is not the only horror the Lebanese people have to contend with, as reports emerge that the country could soon be without functioning hospitals. Following four weeks of the Israeli air and sea blockade of Lebanon, it was reported today that Lebanese hospitals could soon be critically affected if the countries fuel needs were not satisfied soon. The threat remains despite the presence of two oil tankers sitting outside of the navel blockade that will not enter until Israel guarantees their safety. Israel has up to now refused. However should the tankers be allowed to enter into Lebanon, the Government will then be faced with the problem of how to transport the fuel to the hospitals. Convoys travelling anywhere within the Lebanon risk a treacherous journey amid the threat of being targeted by Israeli fighter planes. This is particularly true of southern Lebanon where Israel have imposed a curfew – anything moving being at risk of attack.  

Overnight there were reportedly 120 air strikes over Lebanon paving the way for Israel’s expanding military campaign in the south. It was announced today that 9 out of 12 of the Israeli cabinet ministers voted for an escalation in the military offensive in the hope to eradicate Hizbullah rocket launching capabilities. Estimates spoke of up to 30,000 troops being involved in the push for Israeli occupation of all Lebanese land south of the Litani River. It was reported yesterday that Israel now occupies 8km into Lebanon although this was clearly having little effect on Hizbullah’s ability to inflict substantial casualties to the Israeli army.

Attacks by Israel killed up to 13 Lebanese civilians today. Israel had targeted Ein al Hilweh, the largest Palestinian refugee camp in Lebanon, killing two people. The other casualties included a mother and her five children killed when their house collapsed on them in the town of Mashghera, in the Bekaa valley. Both strikes were explained by the Israeli army as being conducted because Hezbollah members were believed to be sheltering there. Furthermore the numbers of casualties caused by an Israeli air strike in a residential area in southern Beirut on Monday rose to 41 with 61 reported as wounded.

Battles between Hizbullah and the Israeli army continued in southern Lebanon as 15 Israeli soldiers were killed. The numbers of Hizbullah fighters killed in the conflict are unknown.

UN Resolution

Talks regarding the UN resolution showed little sign of compromise as the Arab league pursued a fairer resolution. Opposition from Lebanon and Arab states has put a hold on a vote on the UN resolution which is now expected to take place next week. Lebanon has insisted on the need of a timetable for Israeli troop withdrawal from the Lebanon including the disputed Sheba farms which has been illegally occupied by Israel since the previous Lebanese-Israeli war. The Arab league maintains that there can be no ceasefire while Israeli soldiers remain in the Lebanon. Hizbullah’s leader Sheikh Hasan Nasrullah reiterated the feelings of the Lebanese people as he described the resolution as “unfair and unjust”.

Meanwhile the BBC reported that the UN Human Rights Council is expected to discuss the conflict on Friday following requests from 16 member nations.

Severing of Ties

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez today confirmed his wishes to cut all ties with Israel in response to her brutal and unjustified war against the Lebanon. He further accused the Zionist state of committing a “new Holocaust” as the civilians in Lebanon continue to die from Israeli bombs. Venezuela recalled its ambassador to Israel last week, prompting Israel to withdraw its ambassador to Venezuela on Monday following Chavez’s outspoken criticism of the Zionist state.

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