.Many in Southern Lebanon Are Hesitant to Enter Fight With Israel
HABBARIYA, LEBANON -- Residents of this hilltop village in southern Lebanon lived through decades of Israeli occupation and saw homes and businesses destroyed by Israeli soldiers in a brief summer war in 2006.
But even as they watch casualties mount in Israel's 20-day attack on the Gaza Strip, they say they've turned a page and don't want to be drawn into a second front in a war with their longtime enemy.
"We don't want another war with Israel," said Suhair Hammoud, a 36-year-old teacher.
That sentiment, shared by many among the farming communities dotting the rolling green hills and olive groves here, is a significant departure. The area has been the launching pad for a handful of rocket attacks into Israel during the Jewish state's Gaza offensive.
Israel has responded with a barrage of artillery fire into Lebanon, but neither side has escalated the conflict. The area is also a stronghold of the militant and political group Hezbollah, backed by Iran and Syria, whose fiery leader has condemned Israel's attack and mocked moderate Arab states for their restraint in intervening in Gaza. The rocket attacks initially triggered fears the group was entering the fray.
In the summer of 2006, amid another military incursion by Israel into Gaza, Hezbollah fighters crossed the border into Israel and captured two Israeli soldiers, triggering a month-long battle between Israel and Hezbollah. Southern Lebanon endured heavy bombardment and an Israeli ground offensive.
This time around, residents here say they don't want to see a new fight with Israel, if it comes at the expense of more destruction in Lebanon. Hezbollah, itself, has said it's not interested in starting a fight. Analysts suspect the recent rocket attacks were the work of rogue, pro-Palestinian groups that also operate in the region. Lebanon's government quickly condemned the attacks, and Israeli officials have so far downplayed them.
"We are not happy with rockets launched from our village," says Ali Issa, 50, the town's mayor.
Baylassan Akl, 24, an Arabic-language teacher at a school near Habbariya, said children were terrified when they heard the sound of an Israeli shell hitting nearby on Wednesday. Teachers told the students that the thud was a stone falling from the rooftop, but most didn't believe the story.
On Thursday, a day after the most recent rocket and artillery volley between the two sides, many students stayed home from school. Grocery owners said residents stocked up on food supplies, in case of an escalation.
The streets leading to other southern towns were generally empty. Idle taxi drivers sat in cafes playing backgammon.
"We don't want another war, we are fed up," says Ezzat Harfoush, 51, a butcher who lives in the village of Al Firdiss. "We just want to live in peace."
WSJ
No doubt out of respect for the UN sponsored cease fire agreement.
But even as they watch casualties mount in Israel's 20-day attack on the Gaza Strip, they say they've turned a page and don't want to be drawn into a second front in a war with their longtime enemy.
"We don't want another war with Israel," said Suhair Hammoud, a 36-year-old teacher.
That sentiment, shared by many among the farming communities dotting the rolling green hills and olive groves here, is a significant departure. The area has been the launching pad for a handful of rocket attacks into Israel during the Jewish state's Gaza offensive.
Israel has responded with a barrage of artillery fire into Lebanon, but neither side has escalated the conflict. The area is also a stronghold of the militant and political group Hezbollah, backed by Iran and Syria, whose fiery leader has condemned Israel's attack and mocked moderate Arab states for their restraint in intervening in Gaza. The rocket attacks initially triggered fears the group was entering the fray.
In the summer of 2006, amid another military incursion by Israel into Gaza, Hezbollah fighters crossed the border into Israel and captured two Israeli soldiers, triggering a month-long battle between Israel and Hezbollah. Southern Lebanon endured heavy bombardment and an Israeli ground offensive.
This time around, residents here say they don't want to see a new fight with Israel, if it comes at the expense of more destruction in Lebanon. Hezbollah, itself, has said it's not interested in starting a fight. Analysts suspect the recent rocket attacks were the work of rogue, pro-Palestinian groups that also operate in the region. Lebanon's government quickly condemned the attacks, and Israeli officials have so far downplayed them.
"We are not happy with rockets launched from our village," says Ali Issa, 50, the town's mayor.
Baylassan Akl, 24, an Arabic-language teacher at a school near Habbariya, said children were terrified when they heard the sound of an Israeli shell hitting nearby on Wednesday. Teachers told the students that the thud was a stone falling from the rooftop, but most didn't believe the story.
On Thursday, a day after the most recent rocket and artillery volley between the two sides, many students stayed home from school. Grocery owners said residents stocked up on food supplies, in case of an escalation.
The streets leading to other southern towns were generally empty. Idle taxi drivers sat in cafes playing backgammon.
"We don't want another war, we are fed up," says Ezzat Harfoush, 51, a butcher who lives in the village of Al Firdiss. "We just want to live in peace."
WSJ
No doubt out of respect for the UN sponsored cease fire agreement.
posted by madtom at 9:52 AM
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