Qana Bombings

With Israel continuing air strikes, and bombings in Southern Lebanon, hundreds of innocent families are caught in the crossfire. More than 30 children have been killed in the Qana bombing. Hezbollah always uses the civilian shield, and so Israel has no choice but to bomb the areas with Hezbollah concentration. Israel says that it had given prior warnings to all civilians to leave the area, and it says it has proof that the Hezbollah had been firing the rockets from these areas. If the roads are shelled and the gas stations bombed, where will the people get the fuel from to flee? What about the poor people? Where will they go? Die in their basements, or die on the road while fleeing their home?

The extent of destruction is such that international community has started exerting pressure on Israel to think twice on its next steps in its conflict against the Hezbollah. Long lasting peace can come to the Middle East only by solving the Palestinian issue, which has not moved an inch is the last six years.

Today Israel has stopped air raid on Southern Lebanon for 48 hours...It needs to be seen where the road takes the conflict. US Sec of State Condoleezza Rice was asked not to come to Beirut by the Lebanese president if she does not have a plan for unconditional cease fire. Now Condi is burning mid night oil to reach to a compromise of some nature to end the bloody conflict.

Also spoke to Bhatta (Sudip) after a long time. Kudos to people like him who are still studying and doing gr8 in the academic world. Sudip is doing his PhD in Material Science in South Dakota.