Letter to the Editor: Israeli Bombing in Lebanon - A Devastating Escalation 10/24/2024

            Letter to the Editor: Israeli Bombing in Lebanon - A Devastating Escalation

Israel's recent bombardment of Lebanon marks a severe escalation, targeting critical sites with no regard for international law. Among the latest attacks, Israeli airstrikes hit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Tyre, a city renowned for its rich archaeological history. This destruction of irreplaceable ruins follows similar strikes on other historic locations like Baalbek, drawing little global condemnation compared to similar incidents in Syria or Iraq. Meanwhile, Israel bombed Lebanese news station Al Mayadeen and killed three Lebanese soldiers in the south, all while ignoring international calls for a ceasefire.
The destruction of Tyre, a city inhabited by many Lebanese civilians, is not merely an attack on history but on the social fabric of Lebanon. "This is just terrorism," said sociologist Rima Majed, highlighting Israel's indiscriminate targeting of civilian areas. Yet the global media response has been muted, reflecting a fatigue and desensitization to violence in this region.
In another alarming move, Israel launched a strike near Rafik Hariri University Hospital, Lebanon's largest public medical center, killing and injuring dozens. Claims of hidden Hezbollah assets beneath hospitals have been refuted by local medical staff, raising concerns over the justification for these attacks. Meanwhile, Western countries like France send humanitarian aid while simultaneously selling arms to Israel, a stark hypocrisy pointed out by Majed. This cynical cycle of destruction and aid perpetuates suffering, turning Lebanese civilians into mere objects of survival, stripped of the dignity of ordinary life.
The broader context is troubling. Israeli strikes have targeted not just military figures but civilian institutions linked to Hezbollah’s social network—schools, hospitals, and financial organizations. This goes beyond combat; it's an attack on the livelihoods and communities of southern Lebanon. The silence of global leaders, coupled with their arms sales to Israel, sends a dangerous message: some lives and histories are more valuable than others. This selective morality has created a war that respects no international conventions, deepening divisions and suffering in Lebanon.
The world must not ignore this unjust war. The relentless destruction of historical and social life in Lebanon demands an urgent and consistent international response. The time to speak out is now.