Bloody night in Beirut as Israel intensifies aerial bombardment(May attack UN if bridges repaired)

Israel inflicted one of its deadliest attacks on Beirut last night when an air strike on a southern district killed at least 15 people, just hours after the departure of a delegation from the Arab League.
At least 30 were injured in the strike, which capped another day of violence in Lebanon in which more than 50 people died, including three Israeli soldiers.

As night fell, Israel declared a curfew in southern Lebanon, warning that all vehicles apart from humanitarian traffic would be at risk. Ground forces continued to run into fierce resistance in southern Lebanon. Hizbullah militants fired more than 100 rockets into northern Israel, wounding at least one.

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Israel also threatened to attack UN peacekeepers if they attempted to repair bomb-damaged bridges in southern Lebanon. UN officials contacted the Israeli army to inform them that a team of Chinese military engineers attached to the UN force in Lebanon intended to repair the bridge on the Beirut to Tyre road to enable the transport of humanitarian supplies.

According to the UN, Israeli officials said the engineers would become a target if they attempted to repair the bridge.

Senior UN officials reacted angrily to the destruction of a temporary causeway over the Litani river overnight. "We must be able to have movement throughout the country to deliver supplies. At this point we can't do that," said David Shearer, the humanitarian coordinator for Lebanon. "The deliberate targeting of civilian infrastructure is a violation of international law."

International aid groups have blamed Israel for not providing security guarantees, thereby paralysing the delivery of aid to the south. Even

Try this: http://www.un.org/Depts/dpko/missions/unifil/mandate.html

Note the mandate to "restore peace and security" ? Was that working - for 18 years ? The UN didn't have a peace to keep because they failed in restoring a peace.

If the Lebanese people wanted a sovereign country they'd have kicked out Syria and Iran long ago. If the Lebanese wanted to live a peaceful life they should have not tolerated Muslim fanatic terrorists building weapons caches in civilian houses, schools and hospitals.

Most of us despise the U.N. because they are ineffectual at brokering any peace or solving any world problems, they are anti-American and anti-Semite, and they are sponges on our tax dollars while openly opposing Western civilizaion values of family, sovereignty, and freedom.

If you think Israel can take out calculating killers who hide behind women, children, the disabled and the elderly, without causing unnecessary casualties among this population, why don't you offer us your wisdom on a better strategy ? One that has even a faint possibility of working in the real world of Muslim terrorism.

And while you're at it, why not explain how you know that all the "civilians" that are reportedly being killed are not primarily terrorists and terrorist supporters dressed in civilian clothes - since we all know Muslim terrorists wear no uniforms other than face scarves. Explain Qana - the overreporting of civilian deaths, the inexplicable absence of any men killed, the collapse of the building after more than 7 hours while the women and kids are kept behind, and the obviously staged photos of the "rescue" ?

Try thinking instead of believing the Muslim and MSM propaganda.

Thanks for the link.

According to Security Council resolutions 425 (1978) and 426 (1978) of 19 March 1978, UNIFIL was established to:
Confirm the withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon;
Restore international peace and security;
Assist the Government of Lebanon in ensuring the return of its effective authority in the area.
Most recently the mandate of UNIFIL was extended until 31 August 2006 by Security Council resolution 1697 of 31 July 2006.

OK, when the UN said 'restore peace and security', what do you think they meant? Please elaborate that. Your expectations.

Most of us despise the U.N. because they are ineffectual at brokering any peace or solving any world problems, they are anti-American and anti-Semite, and they are sponges on our tax dollars while openly opposing Western civilizaion values of family, sovereignty, and freedom.

Sure. The UN is ineffectual in several areas. But really, tell me how much can anyone do to 'broker peace'? Force it down someone's throat? Peace Enforcement was never really mandated in most UN missions. As to being Anti-American, or Anti-Semite.. really? Many of the member countries might be, but then so what? Has the US or Israel ever been worse for that? Being on the security council does help ya know. One can't paint the UN as such. And Hate? Hate enough to want the people serving in the UN dead?

while openly opposing Western civilizaion values of family, sovereignty, and freedom.Really? That's a bit thick. Not to say hypocritcal.

If you think Israel can take out calculating killers who hide behind women, children, the disabled and the elderly, without causing unnecessary casualties among this population, why don't you offer us your wisdom on a better strategy ? I never claimed to have any. Maybe this is the best policy. Maybe not. Unfortunately, the reality is that there is no quick-fix. See how the current conflict is going? Israel needs to come up with some better strategies.

And while you're at it, why not explain how you know that all the "civilians" that are reportedly being killed are not primarily terrorists and terrorist supporters dressed in civilian clothes - since we all know Muslim terrorists wear no uniforms other than face scarves.

Duh! Take everything the media tells you with a pich of salt, and a bucket of common sense.

Explain Qana - the overreporting of civilian deaths, the inexplicable absence of any men killed, the collapse of the building after more than 7 hours while the women and kids are kept behind, and the obviously staged photos of the "rescue" ?

I don't know. Media Bias? Fog of war?

Try thinking instead of believing the Muslim and MSM propaganda.

Welcome to the party Jack.. :-)

OK, when the UN said 'restore peace and security', what do you think they meant? Please elaborate that. Your expectations.

That's just the problem. There are no clear directives in the mandates, so when nothing is done, no one can be blamed. So why do we have a UN anyhow and why are we wasting billions of dollars and lives on pretending something is being done ?

Sure. The UN is ineffectual in several areas. But really, tell me how much can anyone do to 'broker peace'? Force it down someone's throat? Peace Enforcement was never really mandated in most UN missions.

In which areas is the UN NOT ineffectual ? Name one please. Of course they can't broker peace when at least one of the parties has vowed to destroy the other. Duh, that's not peace. So again, why are we supporting an organization (the UN) that pretends to have solutions but only postpones the final reckoning ?

As to being Anti-American, or Anti-Semite.. really? Many of the member countries might be, but then so what? Has the US or Israel ever been worse for that? Being on the security council does help ya know. One can't paint the UN as such.

Yes, really. Go find out how many resolutions have come up for a vote condemning Israel, versus how many condemning Islamic terrorist countries and organizations. As of right now, the UN does not consider Hamas or Hezbullah terrorist organizations. Compute that one and ask, why are we bothering with an organization whose members are antithetical to Western values of freedom and prosperity.

And Hate? Hate enough to want the people serving in the UN dead?

Who said anything about wanting UN members dead ? They do that very nicely all by themselves. The 4 UN observers killed by an Israeli airstrike had no authority to defend themselves, so why are they left in a war zone by Kofi Annan ? Why did the UN not blame the Hezbullah for setting up rocket launchers right next to the UN position ? Why did the UN post fly the Hezbullah flag right next to the UN flag ? If they were going to fly any flag other than the UN, why was it not the Lebanese flag ?

while openly opposing Western civilizaion values of family, sovereignty, and freedom.Really? That's a bit thick. Not to say hypocritcal.

You provide no insights for your judgment, so I'll give you just one. How about the UN Human Rights Commission ? Who chaired the Commission - yes, a staunch upholder of human rights, none other than Libya. Who else was on the Commission - China, Zimbabwe, Saudi Arabia, Cuba - need I go on? It was such a joke they had to disband it and start over - with worse results.

I never claimed to have any. Maybe this is the best policy. Maybe not. Unfortunately, the reality is that there is no quick-fix. See how the current conflict is going? Israel needs to come up with some better strategies.

Ah, I see. What Israel is doing is not right but you don't have a clue how they can do any better. That seems to be the way of most liberals - criticize and condem and offer no solutions.

I don't know. Media Bias? Fog of war?

Your modus operandi - "I don't know". If you don't know, get educated.

No one can be blamed.

Aaah! So you want some one to blame eh? :)

So why do we have a UN anyhow and why are we wasting billions of dollars and lives on pretending something is being done ?

That's one to ask your congressman or senator. If the US wanted, it could have vetoed UNIFIL deployment, at any time since when they were deployed. Any time!

In which areas is the UN NOT ineffectual ? Name one please.

As long as we don't niggle about the semantics of 'ineffectual'. Please read about UNEP UNDP UNESCO UNICEF UNHCR. The UN is a lot more than just peace keeping.

So again, why are we supporting an organization (the UN) that pretends to have solutions but only postpones the final reckoning ?

Don't you get it? UN is its member states. The current resolutions being proposed are by France and the US. And I don't think the GOTUS are such schmucks to continually be part of the UN since 1945 right?

Yes, really. Go find out how many resolutions have come up for a vote condemning Israel, versus how many condemning Islamic terrorist countries and organizations.

Som Math, Dr. Einstien: Israel, US =2; Arab/Muslim nations who really don't care much for Israel (15+?). Where do you expect the majority of the resolutions coming from? And since when did 'resultions' matter? Pshaw! cock-a-snook at them... (Sticks and stones etc). The US has consistently vetoed ALL anti-Israel resolutions.

As of right now, the UN does not consider Hamas or Hezbullah terrorist organizations.

Point me out to a list of official UN Designated Terrorist organisations please!

Compute that one and ask, why are we bothering with an organization whose members are antithetical to Western values of freedom and prosperity.

Dude... what's this schtick about 'western' this and 'western' that? Bee in your bonnet? (Ants in your pants? :P) Here, digest this one from your 'Western' incestor: There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy. Again, since you are such a genius, the GOTUS must be sooooooo dumb to bother at all with the UN with all its bad bad non-western countries as members right?

Who said anything about wanting UN members dead ?

My bad. Was not accusing you. But scan this thread and see how many would.

The 4 UN observers killed by an Israeli airstrike had no authority to defend themselves.

Yeah. From now on UN Obeservers will be given Strellas and Stingers as a standard issue kit? Please try defending yourself against a PGM.

So why are they left in a war zone by Kofi Annan?

Assurance by Israel that the UN wont be harmed?

Why did the UN not blame the Hezbullah for setting up rocket launchers right next to the UN position ? Why did the UN post fly the Hezbullah flag right next to the UN flag ? If they were going to fly any flag other than the UN, why was it not the Lebanese flag ?

Oh Gosh. What do you want the UN to do if any a$$ flies any piece of toilet paper next to their flag? Run to mommy?

How about the UN Human Rights Commission ? Who chaired the Commission - yes, a staunch upholder of human rights, none other than Libya.

Oh wait... could it be because the US has scant disregard for the UNHCR? (Why? Some parnoia against foreign imposed treaties?) Why did the US not participate in the hearings on Conventions against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment and Punishment (CAT) ? Or the the 1992 International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) dispite being a signatory? Google gave me this as the 1st link: http://www.rawstory.com/news/2006/UN_report_moral_indictment_of_US_0803.html And a quote from the above: “The US ratified only three human rights treaties out of seven major human rights treaties. In fact, the US and Somalia are the only two countries in the world that have not ratified the Convention on the Rights of the Child – and Somalia does not have a functional government!” Stellar company there, what?

Who else was on the Commission - China, Zimbabwe, Saudi Arabia, Cuba - need I go on? It was such a joke they had to disband it and start over - with worse results.

Of the two, the US is in bed with the Saudis and China, coz they have you by the gonads. Come on, impose sanctions on China and Saudia for their human rights records (like u do for Cuba?)? What? You wont? :-(

Ah, I see. What Israel is doing is not right but you don't have a clue how they can do any better. That seems to be the way of most liberals - criticize and condem and offer no solutions.

With that definition, most on FR would be liberals, right? :-)

Your modus operandi - "I don't know".

Sledge Hammar, that you??

If you don't know, get educated.

Practice what you preach reverend :)

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