Sad to see people slam Lebanon, for example classifying it as typical of the "Islamic fundamentalist world" (#41). Yes, it has devolved into a weak, disfunctional, fractured society, since the PLO came to "visit" and continue its unbroken string of inverse Midas touches (Jordan, Lebanon, Oslo, Wye River, Gaza...). But there are still significant good elements in Lebanon, the country as a whole is modern and pro-West, and trying to move away from Syrian domination. But even the good guys are riven by strange tangled rivalries and ancient ethnic enmities. The resulting unstable coalitions can barely agree on anything. Lebanon as a nation is no danger to Israel, but elements within absolutely are. So I pray that God grant Israel victory, and wisdom to know how to strengthen the hand of the good in Lebanon, and humiliate evil.

Killing civilians is an act of terror, period. Hezbollah took Israeli "soldiers" to exchange them with Hezbollah soldiers, but IDF is killing "civilians" their in Beirut, see the diffrence? State of Israel is not taking ethical manners and war rules (as usual) into consideration, you know why? Because they’re terrorists, real terrorists in soldier’s uniform. Shame on Israel. Mike

The time for restraint is clearly over. Time to let Hamas and Hizbollah know you're not impressed with their fireworks show. Even the Saudis agree that Iran's minions have it coming. Let them reap what they've sown.

""The kingdom sees that it is time for those elements to alone shoulder the full responsibility for this irresponsible behavior and that the burden of ending the crisis falls on them alone," according to a Saudi official quoted by the Saudi Press Agency."

The Arab don't seem to understand when someone is nice ....they are dogs........Enough talking , its time for action ......

You big idiotic fool

Israel was just waiting for an excuse to bomb Lebanon, killing dozens, collectively punishing every single Lebanese person, destroying the country's main industry: tourism. This is the result of a weak UN and EU and a US government which dares not criticise Israel. If the US hadn't vetoed every single security council resolution critical of Israel perhaps we wouldn't see such a childishly retaliative - unbelievably murderous, nevertheless - Israeli response. And now the far-right fanatics appear to be trying to use this as a way to blame Iran, as if Iran is responsible for illegal Israeli excursions into foreign territory and the following consequences. Some things I'll never understand. Meanwhile, this talkbalk will most likely be censored, while the worst of genocidal racism against Arabs espouses freely throughout this forum.

All you people who are writing on this website giving your own opinion about the Israeli-Arab conflict and suggesting that all Palestinians and Arabs or Israeli should die are racist, intolerant, blood thirsty people. Most of you have never been to the Middle East, or maybe went to a visit for a few weeks or months with some biased group. I lived in Israel and Palestine for years and saw the reality of occupation and terrorism. All you people do not see the real problem, its occupation. The Israeli occupation caused the reprisals of the Palestinians and Lebanese and therefore terrorism. Israel has not fulfilled the UN resolution to end occupation in the territories !!! Do you even realize that fact!!! Before you call for the annihilation of Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, or any other country on earth, please do me a favor, at least learn about the peoples of these coutries, visit these people and interact with them instead of acting like total cowards and writing your HATEFUL STATEMENTS FROM YOUR SAFE HAVENS IN THE USA!!! Enough hatred and enough blood shed I say from both sides.

YOU WOULD KNOW VICTORY WILL BE THEIRS. NO MATTER HOW LONG THE BATTLE OR HOW HARD THE FIGHT. NEVER AGAIN MEANS NEVER AGAIN. ISRAEL IS FOREVER.

What is a "Hezbollah soldier"? Is it not an Iranian-proxy terrorist? When such people kill or maim others, or assist those who do so, would you not expect incarceration as a consequence? Why should Israel let them go in a blackmail "exchange" scenario? I don't follow your logic. Is the "raining of missles" all over the Galilee and even to Haifa consistent with "ethical manners and war rules"? These missles are not toys . . . they destroy property, injure and kill civilians. Shame on you and shame on others in the Arab world who justify harming Israel and intend on destroying her.

You are an idiot !! You probably blame the Jews for the Holocaust too. Yeah, those jews just bullied those poor Nazis until the Gestapo stepped in. Go spark up another joint and hug a tree but please stay away from any sharp instruments

Everybody needs to "simmer down". Too much at stake. Everyone is a loser under the present scene. Israel, due to military superiority, uses it like a hammer. No winners, only more hate, bloodshed, ruined futures. Think about it. This sort of approach, by both sides, has proven fruitless.

Time to destroy Hezbullah and make them cry. These savages don't know when to quit, and never learn. Let the IDF send them to their 72 goats, NOW!

was war after war after war after war. The arabs started four wars to kill all the Jews and lost each time. Would you be as generous to your attemped killer as Israel? Not on your life. The looney arabs think you can start war after war and get everything back when you lose. Like no, it isn't done that way. Israel would not have all these problems now if they had killed every "palestinian" during the last four wars. But NO, they let them live and again proved that no good deed goes unpunished. It is not racist to put up a wall to keep killers out. It is not racist to search people entering the country. It is not racist to kill people who are trying to kill you. Go lick the pages of your koran.

and don't worry about 'world opinion'. The only thing these islamists understand is force; so talk to them in the language they understand and CRUSH them. May G-d bless and protect you in this war.

Ryan, check your history. Despite the 1949 treaty which ended Israel's War of Independence (remember that Israel was formed per UN resolution of 11/29/47, and not accepted by the Arab world, which attacked in May 1948), Arab attacks continued relentlessly until 1967. Artillery barrages from the Golan Heights, random stabbings and murders, bombings, and an attempt by the Syrians to divert a large portion of Israel's water supply. It was then that Israel lost patience and pre-empted a planned massive Arab attack in 6/67. The Arabs lost and the "territories" were gained to provide more secure borders. This was a loss at war, not an "occupation." Similarly, the Lebanon incursion in 1982 was because of Arab "niggling" at Israel. But, submitting to international pressure, Israel withdrew from southern Lebanon and from Gaza. What did they get in return? Suicide bombers, car bombs, and missles! How long would you, in your safe haven in Chicago, tolerate this? Be real! Everyone here wants peace, but the Arabs have openly stated that their concept of "occupation" includes all of Israel . . . shall Israel just stand around and implode? Be real!

The aerial traffic is constant without letup, the damage must be terrific

Be very careful what you wish for . If we get involved in this and attack either Syria or Iran, we will be contending with Russia and China. This is a very perilous time. Read Zechariah 12:2-3 and 14:2 and 12. Verse 12 says this thing will go nuclear. I'm sick of the terrorists too, but Israel has committed outlandish attrocities as well. Unfortunately, mostly against innocent civilians. This war will involve the USA. We will see nuclear bombs dropped hear. There are already 320,000 United Nations troops here in this country. Do you really think they are hear for a vacation or might they know what is coming and preparing to use them to enforce Marshall Law here. I will say no more at this time. We should be praying to the LORD ALMIGHTY for more time . PEOPLE YOU MUST BE PREPARED FOR WHAT IS TO COME! War sucks and like I said earlier, mostly innocent civilians are killed and NOTHING, NOTHING is accomplished.

...my cousin is in the IDF. please don't send him to get kilt in Lebanan. I will be very sad if he dies.

The Australian media completely distort coverage to prsent a pro-Arab/terrorist perspective. They blame Israel for attacking Palestinians (TERRORISTS, they forget to say), for bombing airports (because the TERRORISTS started it) and say that Israel is too heavy handed. Funny hwo they always call them Palestinians or Lebanon when really they are terrorist organisations. Anyway, it all comes down to this: not all muslims are terrorists, but ALL terrorists are muslim.

Hizbullah , amongst other similar terror organisations, have had enough warnings. The operation against IDF soldiers was performed with knowledge and approval of both dictators of Syria and Iran. It is time that IDF does what the European have not achieved to do : show terror organisations that there is no way out nor progress of any kind with terror. Nasrallah and Hannieyh will loose at the end, just because of their own miplaced pride and hatred for Jews.

if you do then to negotiate their release would be stupid and would only invite more kidnappings. Israel is simply doing what it should have done at least two years ago. Overly concerned about world opinion and listening to peaceniks saying 'we must talk to them, be patient', it allowed Hizbullah to build up an arsenal along the northern border and now it is finally getting rid of it and them. The US didn’t allow Russia to put missiles in Cuba and we should have put a stop to this long ago. The results of ‘being patient’ are now being witnessed; soldiers kidnapped and innocent people dying in Israel and Beirut.

If the arab terrorists want to hide behind their own women and children, use them as human sheilds in a callous PR ploy, then they are responsible for the deaths. "Course we don't want to target them but Hey!, it's a twofer. Not only get a terrorist but for the same price get a little terrorist factory! Sounds good to me.

I call for the annihilation of morons and dumb jerks like you. Why don't you move to Aljazeera.net? or how about venting you anger at this website? Here they love terrorist... http://www.thekidfrombrooklyn.com/video_list_pop.asp

http://www.thekidfrombrooklyn.com/video_disp.asp?videoid=1146

If Hezbolla didn't fire the rocket then who did! This is page one thinking! Nasrallah has made several mistakes, is now in a panic and is making more errors. He didn't realise that Israel released 400 prisoners to get Tannenbaum back and thought 'just think of what we'll get for 2 soldiers'. Tannenbaum was an ex colonel and a spy and Israel needed to know what he'd said or hadn't said. Nasrallah didn't expect this strong Israeli response and he's now in big trouble. He demonstrated to the world that he has missiles that can reach Haifa and then realised it was another mistake. He thereby gave Israel the 'right' to attack the Hezbolla area of Beirut.