What is happening in Israel and Lebanon?

Question

What is occuring in Israel? Lebanon

PS Not for homework. I'm too curious.

Answer 1

It's a very complicated situation and one that has it's roots way back in history.

In a nutshell the Middle Eastern nations don't like Israel. Israel was carved out of what they consider to be their holy land and as far as they're concerned Israel shouldn't exist.

The Israeli's claim the land as their own and this argument stretches way back to Biblical times and the Promised Land.

In essence there are 2 sides wanting the same land - what is currently Southern Lebanon. Israel has previously occupied parts of this land and in the 1970's (I think) captured the Golan Heights and has remained installed their ever since. The Israeli's want Southern Lebanon as a buffer zone between Lebanon and Israel as they claim this 'no-man's-land' will prevent attacks and incursions into Israel by terrorists and armed militia.

Obviously the Lebanese don't accept the notion that a foreign country can just march into their land and claim it as their own.

Israel is a democratic country and is more akin to Western ideas and beliefs and as such can count on the support of America, the UK etc whereas the surrounding countries are predominantly Muslim and their beliefs and way or life is more alienated from the Westernised lifestyles.

Israel is of course, of great strategic importance to the Western countries as it gives them a foothold in the Middle East and regardless as to what actions Israel takes, it is almost guaranteed the continued support of Western governments. Any condemnation of Israeli actions tends to be somewhat underwhelming.

Lebanon is a country with a turbulent and fractious history and since the fall of the occupying Ottoman Empire has seen a lot of in-fighting amongst the many different religious and ethnic groups.

The Lebanese, or more correctly in this instance, Hezbollah, are led by religious (Islamic) beliefs and ideologies and are vehemently opposed all things Israeli. Followers of Hezbollah are prepared to die for their cause and despite the vastly superior military strength of Israel are not afraid of the Israelis.

Sadly Lebanon has been here before. 30 years ago Beirut was a battleground and much of the city was destroyed - there are still many examples of shell damaged buildings from the conflicts all those years ago. After 3 decades of relative stability Lebanon was beginning to rebuild itself and normality was returning.

The primary conflagration at the moment is the Hezbollah-Israel situation but waiting in the wings like a powder keg are Hamas, the Syrians and the Palestinians.

Sadly there does not appear to be any simple solution nor any short-term solution. Hezbollah will keep attacking Israel and the Israeli military will keep retaliating in a much more devestating manner (the loss of life is something like 10 Lebanese for each Israeli).

The Western nations don't want to be drawn into another conflict and don't want to lose favour with Israel by condemning them too strongly.

All in all this is a very sad state of affairs. From first hand experience I can vouch for the fact that the majority of Lebanese are peace-loving and very friendly people who would welcome just about anyone with open arms (the Israelis always being an exception). Their country is being destroyed by a powerful military due to the actions of a small minority of the population.

I hope a lasting peace can be found and the countries can resolve their differences. Unfortunately I think this is more idealistic than realistic.

Answer 2

A war between the State of Israel and the Hezbollah (a terrorist organization in Lebanon). In such a war, soldiers and civilians from both sides are killed. In order to acheave a fair peace, Lebanon should outlaw the Hezbollah, Israel should outlaw two political parties, Meretz & the United Arab List, and the Phalestinian Authority should outlaw the Hamas & Islamic Jihad.

Answer 3

War.....

Israel used the excuse of the two soldiers as an advantage to steal some more land from Lebanon and kill all its people. As you have probably heard already 700 Lebanese have been killed, mostly civilians, while 80 Israelis have been killed, mostly soldiers.

Answer 4

Syrian "refugees" illegally crossed the Syrian-Israel border to search "assylum" in Israel. They had been shot down when you consider that they had been illegally getting into the nation at the identical day that it's handling violent Nakba protests and worse-than-common terrorist assaults. A identical organization tried to do the identical at the Lebanon border, however the Lebanon professionals did the dependable factor, and detained them earlier than they might pass the border

Answer 5

You know .. it's very complicated, an organization called "Hizbullah" kidnapped two Israelis soldiers and Israel attacked Lebanon to save her ( face ) from shame ....

Answer 6

war israel wants people who want them dead away from their borders so their rockets can not hit any israel town. and poor lebanon is stuck in the middle between hezoballah and israel

Answer 7

as i have heard, there rebels from Lebanon that went to Israel and the Lebanese wanted to get those rebels in prison and the Israelites were afraid of the coming of the Lebanese that is why they bombed the place of the Lebanese and there the Lebanese bomded back the place of the Israelites.......^_^

Answer 8

War continues

Answer 9

israel try to conquer lebanon but lebanons defend themselves

Answer 10

war


Israel wants more land of Lebanon