Israel’s unjustified military operation in Lebanon earlier this month marked the end of the last hope for the Middle East peace process.

The brutal offensive in Lebanon coincided with another not les horrific one in the Gaza Strip.

Israel’s barbaric moves in recent weeks brought the Middle East peace process back to square one, wiping out previous agreements and negotiations. Nobody now dares speak about re-launching peace efforts again, an editorial on Egypt’s Al Ahram said.

Israel’s massive military offensive against Lebanon and Gaza has not only created a humanitarian crisis, it's also threatening to plunge the entire Middle East region into war.

The Lebanese are once again forced into war, they have no choice but to fight and resist.

Contrary to what news reports keep repeating; the onslaught on Lebanon has nothing to do with the release of the two soldiers captured by Hezbollah. This is just part of a wider plan Israel has been preparing for Lebanon and the region long ago.

By attacking Lebanon, striking residential areas, killing scores of civilians and inflicting sever damage on the country infrastructure, Israel seeks turning the Lebanese population and government against Hezbollah movement in order to force it to disarm.

Israeli air strikes have flattened many homes and apartment buildings in Lebanon. They also destroyed roads, bridges and airports, making it almost impossible for people to flee and preventing aid workers from providing victims with essential supplies such as food and medicine.

Israel wants to use Lebanon to boost the American hegemony in the Middle East, and thus weaken the Arab and the Islamic World. The Jewish state’s target is those in Lebanon who have been of two minds about the resistance; Israel simply wants them to do Washington's bidding.

The U.S. on the other hand is protecting Israel against any international pressure or efforts to force it end fighting.

The U.S. has vetoed a recent UN resolution demanding Israel end the offensive in Lebanon and Gaza, arguing that Israel has the right “to defend itself”.

French Defence Minister Michele Alliot-Marie criticised the U.S. abuse of veto power, saying:"The United States doesn't want to arrive at this solution (ceasefire) immediately,"

"And that's what is now blocking the workings of the United Nations Security Council," she told French radio RMC Info.

The UN Secretary General Kofi Annan has demanded an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, proposing a package of measures aimed at ending the warfare in Lebanon.

But the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, John Bolton, voiced skepticism, arguing:

"We seek a long-term cessation of hostilities that is part of a comprehensive change in the region and part of a real foundation for peace- But no one has explained how you conduct a ceasefire with a group of 'terrorists'," he said, referring to Hezbollah.

Israel’s merciless attacks on Lebanon could also be seen as a way of avenging its disgraceful defeat by Hezbollah fighters who forced its army in 2000 to withdraw from Lebanon.

The Israeli aggression in Lebanon also seeks to reduce the confidence Arabs may have gained following the U.S. stunning failure in Afghanistan and Iraq.

This is simply because the Israeli government considers Lebanon the weakest link in the alliance of resistance forces, the editorial added.

Israel’s relentless attempts to break the Palestinian resistance group Hamas have so far failed, as well as Israel’s efforts to achieve any of its objectives in the region.

Over ten days of fighting in Lebanon and nearly a month in Gaza failed to bring back the Israeli soldiers. Israel is facing a tough resistance on both fronts and winning any of the battles will be difficult and almost impossible. Hamas and Hezbollah are not intending to free the Israelis unless Israel frees the Palestinian and Lebanese detainees it holds.

Hezbollah, which had been planning the operation for months, captured the Israelis to pressure Israel free Hezbollah fighters held in Israeli jails. And it’s not planning, as the movement leader made clear, to release them unless its goal is achieved.

In 2004, Israel was forced to release about 400 Palestinians, 23 Lebanese as well as dozen others held in its jails in exchange for Hezbollah’s release of an Israeli businessman.

The war against Lebanon will not be easy, and Hezbollah seems equipped and prepared for fighting an extended war against the Israeli army.

Original Story: http://www.aljazeera.com/cgi-bin/review/article_full_story.asp?service_id=11631

What and who is Hezbollah?

Hezbollah (meaning Party of God) is a political and military party in Lebanon founded in 1982 to fight the IsraelI occupation in southern Lebanon. It is regarded by many in the Arab and Muslim world as a legitimate militant Shia political party in Lebanon . In addition to its military wing, Hezbollah maintains a civilian arm, which runs hospitals, various news services, and educational facilities.

Hezbollah has denounced some acts of terror, like the September 11 attacks and the murder of Nick Berg.

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