Wednesday, August 16, 2006

The Cost of War

The numbers are in for the fighting in Lebanon.
  • Lebanese Dead: ca. 1 100
  • Lebanese Wounded: ca. 3 700
  • Lebanese Displaced: ca. 900 000
This contrasts to the numbers for Israel as such:
  • Israeli Dead: 40 civilians, 117 soldiers
  • Israeli Wounded: ca. 1 000 civilians, ca. 450 soldiers
  • Israeli Displace: not available
Israel has caused a catastrophic amount of damage to Lebanon and its citizens. The Lebanese Council for Development and Reconstruction put the damage to Lebanon's infrastructure at US$2.5 billion as of the end of July, after which there was another two weeks of fighting in which much more damage was done. On the Lebanese coast, 10 000 - 15 000 tonnes of heavy fuel oil spilled after the bombing of a power plant by Israel. This will cause a major environmental catastrophe and cost at least $100 million to clean up. In contrast, the damage to the Israeli economy as a whole is estimated by the Israeli central bank as US$1.5 billion. Israel can afford such a cost much more than Lebanon can afford to pay US$2.5 billion.
Source: http://www.dawn.com/2006/08/16/int13.htm

Israel claims that it desires to live in peace with the peoples of neighbouring states. To do that, it must realize that it cannot continue to destory the infrastructure of its neighbours and embitter their populace. Israel ought to make a gesture of good faith towards the people of Lebanon by paying most or all of the costs of rebuilding the destroyed infrastructure. Israel must also stop occupying the lands of Lebanon, Syria and Palestine. Only then can everyone in the region live in the peace that they all claim to want so much.

Cheers

Days Remaining in Bush Presidency: 888
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2 comments:

  1. none12:40 p.m.

    Okay, what should Lebanon do with Hezbollah? You should address the issue about this terrorist organization, otherwise it makes you seem sympathetic to Hezbollah.

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  2. TS4:54 a.m.

    I don't believe that violence of any kind is a legitimate way of solving any dispute. Just as it was not acceptable for Israel to anhilate the infrastructure of Lebanon and to kill Lebanese civilians, it is not acceptable for Hezbollah to target and kill Israeli citizens. But if Hezbollah fights a war of defense against Israeli agression within the borders of Lebanon, then I will support them and wish them well. Israel claims a right to defend itself. Then it must also realize that Lebanon has such a right.

    Neither side should be using violence. Violence just begets more violence and destruction. The only solution is to sit down at a table and try to come to a resolution like reasonable people. Because neither side will be able to destroy the other, as both sides have seemed intent on doing at various times.

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