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On July 12,
2006 Israel launched a military operation against Lebanon after
Hezbollah fighters seized two Israeli soldiers and killed eight. This
operation took end on August 14, 2006 when the United Nation adopted a
new resolution 1701. The UNSCR has been anonymously adopted in the UN
and was accepted by the Lebanese and Israeli governments.
The result of this massive operation, after 34 days of massive attack,
was catastrophic:
- More than 1100 civilian dead, about 4000 injured and about one million
displaced
- Israel's air force carried out approximately 7,000 aerial attacks
throughout Lebanon while its navy conducted more than 2,500 bombardments
of the Lebanese coast
- the bombing of some 15,000 houses and 900 other private buildings in
addition to airports (four), ports, roads, bridges (about 100), fuel
tanks, electricity transformers, telecoms network, schools, hospitals,
factories and other infrastructure
According to experts, the explosions and the subsequent wide scale
destruction have released large amounts of chemical and dust particles
into the atmosphere, while the targeting of fuel reservoirs have
resulted in a 140 km long oil spill which inflicted serious
environmental damage to the Lebanese coast as well as to its
archeological sites. These chemicals cause long-term health issues such
as respiratory problems and cancer.
The Center for Economic Research in Beirut predicted repair and
reconstruction costs will rise above US$7 billion, which could take
years to complete.
On August 15, 2006, thousands of Lebanese, displaced by Israel's war
with Hezbollah, returned back to find their village devastated by
Israeli bombing and their home in ruins.
On August 16, 2006, Israel and Hezbollah both loudly proclaimed victory,
with leaders on both sides of the bloody 34 days war seeking to justify
the conflict's heavy costs.
RCPL is deeply concerned about this catastrophic humanitarian situation
that affects the Lebanese civilians, and calls on the Lebanese
government and the international community to conduct a transparent
investigation in order to determine the direct and indirect
responsibilities of both sides involved in this war. Such investigation
is essential to avoid similar catastrophes in the future and to save
civilian lives. |
