 Israeli strikes against civilian targets in Lebanon and Gaza, from power stations to bridges, stirred growing international condemnation on Friday and warnings the conflict could spread. But Hizbollah guerrillas, who Israel says triggered the action with missile strikes on Israel and the capture of two of its soldiers, were also urged to curb their operations.
"One can ask oneself whether there isn't a sort of desire to destroy Lebanon," French President Jacques Chirac said of Israeli attacks that have killed 66 people, almost all civilians. "I find, honestly, like most Europeans, that the reactions are completely disproportionate." He described Hizbollah guerrillas who fired rockets on to the territory of the Jewish state as "completely irresponsible".
| Take the next step, Jaques: Assume they were in Switzerland or Belchium, and rocketing French towns and kidnapping French troops. The Swiss or Belchian government is unable or unwilling to control them. Would you retaliate? |
Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora urged President George W. Bush by telephone to use all his influence on Israel to "stop its aggression on Lebanon, reach a comprehensive ceasefire and lift its blockade", the prime minister's office said in a statement. "President Bush stressed that he was keen on pressing Israel to contain the damage to Lebanon and to avoid inflicting harm on innocent civilians," the statement said.
| All Leb has to do is shut down the state within its state. But it's too weak to do that. |
| Tall order. Perhaps they'd like some help? |
Bush said on Thursday "Israel has the right to defend herself", and made clear he felt its actions were justified. Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, speaking on Thursday night, described Israeli action as a measured response.
| I get such a good feeling when the Great White North acts like the Dominion of Canada instead of like Luxembourg... |
Top U.N. relief co-ordinator Jan Egeland said those who had seized Israeli soldiers and fired rockets into Israel from both Gaza and southern Lebanon bore their share of the blame. "They don't seem to care the slightest bit that it is the children and the women and the civilians who bear the brunt of all of this," he told a news conference in Geneva.
| From the headline, I expected the howling to be a lot more one-sided. They're still being pretty balanced, except for Jacques. |
Israel says Hizbollah has launched 130 missiles in the last 48 hours, killing two Israeli civilians and wounding over 100. Residents in northern Israel have taken to bomb shelters. Egeland called Israeli targeting of civilian infrastructure a violation of international law and of common sense. "You are supposed to do something with the armed troops, you are not supposed to hurt the children and people who had nothing to do with all of this." |