In the past few days Israel has killed hundreds of Lebanese and Palestinian civilians; in many cases wiping out entire families, targeting Red Cross ambulances and UN peace keepers — in clear violation of international law.
Despite the indiscriminate bombing of civilian areas, the U.S. via Condoleezza Rice has stifled any attempts in the United Nations of negotiating a cease fire (wouldn’t have anything to do with the laser guided missiles the US are currently delivering to Israel would it?)
Ireland warned Israel [2]
Ireland revealed that its most senior army officer in Lebanon contacted the Israelis six times to warn them about shelling and bombing close to UN positions before the fatal air strike on the UN observers.
Irish Defence Minister Willie O’Dea told RTE state radio that Israel’s actions were “grossly reckless at a minimum” as he wondered whether it had deliberately targeted the base. …Base ‘clearly marked’
In New York, deputy head of UN peacekeeping operations Jane Holl Lute and UN Deputy Secretary-General Mark Malloch Brown telephoned Israeli UN Ambassador Dan Gillerman and his deputy half a dozen times to convey the same message, UN officials said.
“The base is clearly marked, a well-known, well-established position for a generation,” said a UN official, speaking to reporters on condition of anonymity.
The UN still wanted a joint investigation, as Annan requested, despite Olmert’s decision to conduct a solely Israeli inquiry, the UN official said. …
Fear had many faces today :: BBC reporter Fergal Keane
On Sunday, U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour told CNN that Israel’s actions in Lebanon could lead to the prosecution of its military commanders. She issued a statement last week suggesting that the failure of both sides to spare civilians was a violation of international criminal law.
…
The already simmering tensions between Israel and the U.N. exploded Tuesday, after Israel dropped a bomb on a U.N. outpost in south Lebanon, killing four observers. U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan quickly accused Jerusalem of intentionally targeting the outpost — an allegation that Israeli officials angrily denied, insisting the incident was not deliberate. [4]
Under fire: missile damage on the clearly marked ambulances, hit while caring for injured in the town of Qana. (Photo: AP) [8]
[1.] Fear had many faces today [SMH Blogs: MashUp]
[2.] Danger interrupts evacuation effort [The AGE]
[3.] Conflicting views of the Middle East crisis [The AGE]
[4.] U.N., Rights Groups Accuse Israel of Possible War Crimes [Forward]
[5.] Yes, We Are Witnessing War Crimes in Lebanon [Arab News]
[6.] Ralph Nader: U.S. Carries “Inescapable Responsibility” for “Israeli Government’s Escalating War Crimes” [Scoop NZ]
[7.] Middle East: Expert Discusses Issue Of War Crimes [RadioFreeEurope]
[8.] Agonies anew for team on the side of the angels [The AGE]
[9.] Where’s the int’l outcry over Israeli war crimes? [Aljazeera]
