Civilian deaths in Lebanon: MSM should examine Hezbollah’s part more closely

The big story coming from the Middle East today is an Israeli airstrike that killed 56 civilians in Lebanon, including 34 children. Via AP:

QANA, Lebanon – Israeli missiles hit several buildings in a southern Lebanon village as people slept Sunday, killing at least 56, most of them children, in the deadliest attack in 19 days of fighting.

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert expressed “great sorrow” for the airstrikes but blamed Hezbollah guerrillas for using the area to launch rockets at Israel, and said he would not halt the army’s operation.

The Lebanese Red Cross said the airstrike in Qana, in which at least 34 children were killed, pushed the overall Lebanese death toll to more than 500. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice postponed a visit to Lebanon in a setback for diplomatic efforts to end hostilities. She was to return to the U.S. Monday morning, abruptly breaking off her diplomatic mission in the Mideast.

Before the airstrike, Olmert told Rice he needed 10-14 days to finish the offensive in Lebanon, according to a senior Israeli government official. The two said they would meet again Sunday evening.

[…]

The council was expected to discuss a French-sponsored draft resolution spelling out a series of steps meant to resolve the crisis, including an immediate halt to fighting.

LOL. A “French-sponsored draft resolution”? I’m sure that’ll have some teeth in it. Not.

Israeli said it targeted Qana because it was a base for hundreds of rockets launched at Israeli, including 40 that injured five Israelis on Sunday. Israel said it had warned civilians several days before to leave the village.

“One must understand the Hezbollah is using their own civilian population as human shields,” said Israeli Foreign Ministry official Gideon Meir. “The Israeli defense forces dropped leaflets and warned the civilian population to leave the place because the Hezbollah turned it into a war zone.”

Mr. Meir is correct, but you wouldn’t know it by reading the AP headline on this story. It implies that Israel is targeting Lebanese civilians deliberately (sound familiar?).

First, as in all wars, it’s unfortunate but civilians do get hurt and killed. Secondly, and more importanly as it relates to this war, Hezbollah (as Mr. Meir and PM Olmert correctly asserted) is using civilian areas to launch their attacks and hide. Australia’s Sunday Herald Sun can now back up this claim for the world to see:

THIS is the picture that damns Hezbollah. It is one of several, smuggled from behind Lebanon’s battle lines, showing that Hezbollah is waging war amid suburbia.

The images, obtained exclusively by the Sunday Herald Sun, show Hezbollah using high-density residential areas as launch pads for rockets and heavy-calibre weapons.

Dressed in civilian clothing so they can quickly disappear, the militants carrying automatic assault rifles and ride in on trucks mounted with cannon.

The photographs, from the Christian area of Wadi Chahrour in the east of Beirut, were taken by a visiting journalist and smuggled out by a friend.

Make sure to click on the Sunday Herald Sun link to view the pictures.

Not that anyone with a clue as to how terrorists wage war needed the confirmation that Hezbollah was doing this, but the people who consider Hezbollah as more victim than perpetrator in these attacks needed to see the pictures.

Michelle Malkin notes an email from blogger AJ Strata, who wrote this to her:

“Fox News is reporting that the Israeli IDF will be presenting video evidence that Hezbollah artillery or rocket launchers were indeed in the area of civilian casualties. Israel cannot be blamed for simply following the trail of a rocket back to its source to take it out AFTER it has been launched at Israel.”

Indeed.

As it’s done in Afghanistan and Iraq, the media has jumped on the “evil US/Israel attacks have killed scores of civilians!!!!” bandwagon, without examining why the civilians (in most instances) were caught in the crossfire in the first place. I suspect the reason why they don’t examine that aspect of civilian deaths because that would mean the angle that they push – which is that the west, in particular the US and Israel, are bloodthirsty empirical warmongers, while those battling them are ‘freedom fighters’ – couldn’t be credibly pushed.

—

Here’s more on the latest developments between Israel and Hezbollah.

—

PM Update: What the hell? US: IAF to suspend activity over Lebanon for 48 hours

PM Update II: Powerline looks at the timing for when the building in Qana collapsed and in the process killed the civilians in this airstrike. More questions than answers. Ditto for Allah. Did Hezbollah blow up that building?

PM Update III: Fox has video of Hezbollah firing rockets from an area close to where the building collapsed. Hezbollah has claimed it hasn’t conducted any strikes from that area. Yeah right.

Prior:

33 Responses to "Civilian deaths in Lebanon: MSM should examine Hezbollah’s part more closely"

CavalierX says:

July 30, 2006 at 1:02 pm

As a result of this incident, I can foresee us falling back into the standard routine in which Israel is constantly criticised whenever they strike back against terror attacks launched from a country that can’t (or won’t) do anything to stop them. No one will bother to mention that Hezballah was basically — and effectively, it seems — using these children as human shields.
benning says:

July 30, 2006 at 1:14 pm

The utter reluctance of the MSM to report the facts as opposed to their agenda is saddening. You would think by now that the vast majority of the Western media would be on-board when it comes to fighting the Islamic terror.

But, no, they still engage in enabling the Terrorists at the expense of their own countrymen and women, their own eventual lives! Foolishness!
Flopping Aces says:

July 30, 2006 at 1:21 pm

Pictures Showing The Cowardly Hezbollah

Just found this video from Fox News which shows rockets being fired from the same apartment building which was hit today in Lebanon

…
In Search Of Utopia says:

July 30, 2006 at 2:16 pm

Photos that damn Hezbollah?

Okay, I wake up this morning to the news that the Israeli Military has killed a bunch of civilians hiding in a basement: QANA, Lebanon (Reuters) – An Israeli air strike killed 54 civilians, including 37 children, on Sunday, prompting…
Phil says:

July 30, 2006 at 3:19 pm

Well folks you would be surprised if they ever decided to be patriotic but as usual the MSM only cares for ratings and that is even if they have to come right out and lie to get that.
Big Bang Hunter says:

July 30, 2006 at 4:23 pm

– As usual the Koffi was a bit “restrained” in his comments this morning, but at least he did condemn Hezbollah to stop using innocents as shields.

– On the flip side, it might be a good idea to “wait for the rest of the story”. Israeli security is saying that there was a 8 hour delay in reporting the deaths, and think the people were killed by the explosions of the missles they had stored in the building, rather than the Isreal strikes.

– Justice would be served if it’s shown clearly, and without question, that Hezbollah is forcing people to stay in the buildings near where they are launching their rockets from, with the intention of causing as many casualties of women and children as possible. If that happens this whole PR campaign could be their undoing in the end. the damn world at large is as usual, unwilling to engage these barbaric killers head on, and they’re going to pay a terrible price for that approach eventially, a clear repeat of the leadup to WWII. History all over again. they never seem to learn a damn thing.

– Bang
Great White Rat says:

July 30, 2006 at 4:46 pm

Bang’s comments are spot on, as usual.

All the more reason to let Israel finish the job and annihilate these cowards. They stage-manage the carnage, expecting the soft-headed MSM to win them sympathy with a soft-hearted public. If successful, politicians here and abroad who care more about polls than permanent peace will step up the pressure on Israel to pull back. Then the islamofascists can regroup and rearm with an ever more lethal arsenal, until they’re ready to start the nonsense again.

Bottom line is that civilians will die as the cost of any war. Better that a few hundred die now to break Hezbollah (*spit*) for good than tens of thousands die later when they can strike with more force.
Assorted Babble by Suzie says:

July 30, 2006 at 4:53 pm

Iranian owned Hezbollah and Their Tactics

On a Sunday morning, when you want to publish something that is positive and that may make you smile, you wake up to a pivotal change in global feelings turning away from Israel and their right to defend themselves in much of the world and ones sympa…
Lorica says:

July 30, 2006 at 5:20 pm

This is very sad, and I pray that if these people were kept there or Hezbolah did have anything to do with it, the evidence is found and clearly shown to the world.

Brit Hume reported today that this is the same town, and the same sort of incident, that lead up to the 2001 resolution and cease fire. I find that odd, I think Isreal was set up. Again, I pray for some evidence of this. – Lorica
A Blog For All says:

July 30, 2006 at 5:51 pm

Diplomacy and the Hounds of Hell, Part XIII

The fighting in Lebanon wears on as rocket attacks continue against Israel and Israeli airstrikes continue to pound Lebanon. The Lebanese Prime Minister says that they wont negotiate until the fighting ends. Well, that could be quite a wait consideri…
stackja says:

July 30, 2006 at 8:22 pm

Our heroes Hellzblowhard are in trouble then in true Pallywood tradition, motion picture special effects cause an explosion and our heroes are saved. This occurrence is so convenient for Hellzblowhard and to the MSM a very plausible explanation of Israeli brutality.
Kathy says:

July 30, 2006 at 11:06 pm

First, as in all wars, it’s unfortunate but civilians do get hurt and killed.

I like that word, “unfortunate.” It gives just the right amount of weight to this regrettable event. It’s a gentle word, a ladylike word. Or a gentlemanly word, but I’m talking to a lady right now.

It’s a good thing to know the appropriate use of words when discussing difficult matters like these 34 children who were killed in that town in Lebanon. A sense of proportion is important.

One hopes that we would be able to summon up the same sort of equanimity and perspective were it 34 children in peaceful, leafy Charlotte, NC, who were crushed under a building bombed, say, by Lebanon. (If they could do such a thing to us; of course, they can’t.)

I feel quite sure that we would be able to call on that civilized American equanmity. We are a civilized and generous people, as is Israel, of course. It’s unfortunate that innocent children die in war, but there you have it. They do. It’s an unfortunate drawback to war, but there still must be war — at least in faraway places like Lebanon and Iraq — because if there weren’t, how could places like Charlotte, NC, stay so calm, and peaceful, and leafy?
Sister Toldjah says:

July 30, 2006 at 11:15 pm

Since I live for your approval, Kathy, I’ll sleep better tonight knowing you approve of my use of the word “unfortunate.”

And FYI, you’re able to sit there and type your “leafy” message to me because of wars past – where civilians were, unfortunately, killed in the middle of battle. Ideally, no civilian ever would get killed but it does happen – it’s the reality of war. Would you give up your freedoms today if it meant taking back all the wars the US fought in (including the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, and WW’s I & II) where civilians were killed?

Think about that next time you want to give me or anyone else a peacenik lecture on civilian casualties.
Baklava says:

July 31, 2006 at 1:03 am

It is unfortunate. At least Israel wasn’t targeting women and children. Maybe Hezbollah will think about how unfortunate things get when they fire missiles next to buildings with women and children. And maybe the Lebanese will think about how unfortunate things get when Hezbollah fires missiles near buildings with women and children.

As far as I know Israel has the right to defend themselves. Is that a statement you want to quibble with Kathy?

Talk about perspective… I’d say there would be no defending (trying to rid the rocket launch sites) if there were not rockets launching.
Big Bang Hunter says:

July 31, 2006 at 1:20 am

– Hey Kath. Did you notice that the Israeli’s are the one’s who called a cease fire for the sake of medical aide for the civilians.

– Of course Hezbollah will take the time to move to new locations where there are plenty of fresh innocent women and children to act as their shields. You might be robbing them of their chance to use dead children in their PR war. Are you on the side of the Jihadist murdering thugs or not. What kind of Liberal are you anyway. Shheeesss

(I was wrong ST. It took 7 hours before we got the usual anti-Amercan drool.)

– Bang
Big Bang Hunter says:

July 31, 2006 at 1:39 am

-I’m really beggining to believe that DU poll they’re keeping under wraps that said 78% of the “Progressive” responders admitted to having one or more mental/emotional disabilities. No other way to explain the moonbats. Pitiful. Life must be a 24 hour bitch when you can’t seperate your own emotional problems from your politics.

– Bang
Baklava says:

July 31, 2006 at 2:01 am

When someone who is close to you dies as my best friend and love did on July 8th, you feel like you are the only one. I’ve never lost so deeply and perspective is lost for a short while.

Then you see stories like this one.

So, I keep doing what I know I should do. Today was moving rocks, grouting the tile in the kids bathroom, cutting molding and attaching it to the wall.

While sometimes it seems a little pointless there are good souls who do nice things keep my spirits up. ST, my neighbors, family and friends all had a part. Thank you ST.
Big Bang Hunter says:

July 31, 2006 at 2:33 am

Bak – I’m hope I’m not too late in extending the condolences of myself and our little family. I’ve passed through several of these heartfelt times so I understand. Your comments are always appriciated, and you know you have a lot of supportive friends, myself included.

– Bang
Big Bang Hunter says:

July 31, 2006 at 5:05 am

– Probable NYT headline in the morning:

“Invading Israeli Army hoards deliberately targeting Hezbollah freedom fighters”

– Brave Hezzi Soldiers shielding their wives and children with their bodies –

– What would we do without our Lame stream press…

– Bang
The Florida Masochist says:

July 31, 2006 at 7:21 am

The Knucklehead of the Day award

Today’s winner is Hizbollah.
Severian says:

July 31, 2006 at 7:57 am

Maybe Hezbollah will think about how unfortunate things get when they fire missiles next to buildings with women and children.

Oh, I guarantee that they already thought about it, and will continue to think about it. They want civilian casualties. They understand the information war and this odd weakness the West has, and deliberately put civilians at risk because they care nothing for their lives but everything for victory. Look at what this got them…Hezbollah has been wanting a cease fire so they could rearm and regroup, Israel was having none of it, sooo…hey, let’s get a bunch of civilians killed! That’ll cause so much outrage in the wimpy, pants wetting West that Israel will have to back off and Hezbollan will get the breather they need and increase global comdemnation of their enemy, Israel.

This stuff is so completely predictable and transparent, and the morons on the Left and the usual suspects in politics and the media throughout the world salivate like Pavlov’s dogs whenever this happens. I often wonder how allegedly intelligent people can stand to be dupes to terrorist manipulation, but they actually seem to enjoy it. People like Kathy have embraced weakness, lack of will, and being used and manipulated by terrorists and seem to think it’s not only OK, but something to be proud of, and therein lies the core of what will doom Western Civilization.
Sister Toldjah says:

July 31, 2006 at 8:32 am

Good to see you back, Bak.
PCD says:

July 31, 2006 at 8:35 am

What would a discussion be without Kathy to remind us how shallow the American left is.

Speaking of the American Left, has anyone heard anything out of Marlo Thomas, Mrs. Phil Donohue? She’s Lebanonese-American. I am surprised we haven’t heard her big mouth yapping by now.
The Right Nation says:

July 31, 2006 at 8:48 am

Just in Time

John Hinderaker, su Powerline, ha qualche domanda interessante su questo striscione anti-americano comparso misteriosamente davanti all’edificio di Cana dove ieri sarebbero morti oltre 50 civili, appena poche ore dopo il bombardamento israeliano che …
Severian says:

July 31, 2006 at 9:15 am

Well well well…further information showing that things are not always as they seem, nor are they always the way Kathy would wish them, all the fault of the Evil Joooo’s:

Building Collapse Suspicious
forest hunter says:

July 31, 2006 at 7:35 pm

Even the head thug hugger at the UN, Annan condemns the use of humans as shields, can Kathy be far behind? Rhetorical. Apparently the memo hasn’t made it to her lunar position.

Kathy, I recommend less time digging up new words in your thesaurus and more time delving into the recent past regarding the hezzbots. You are among a class of people here, who’s sangfroid abilities are as legendary as the Israeli’s have been with the hezzbot’s and lamestream press. Feel free to follow the smoky trail of lies and deceit laid before you by the typical anti-America and Americans as you like, but pretend to have a grasp on reality occasionally. It will lend to a thing called credibility, if that should be of any concern to you.
Kathy says:

August 1, 2006 at 11:23 am

Well well wellâ€¦further information showing that things are not always as they seem, nor are they always the way Kathy would wish them, all the fault of the Evil Joooo’s:

Actually, Haaretz is reporting this morning that the Israeli government has now changed its story about the rockets in Qana:

“As the Israel Air Force continues to investigate the air strike, questions have been raised over military accounts of the incident.

It now appears that the military had no information on rockets launched from the site of the building, or the presence of Hezbollah men at the time.

The Israel Defense Forces had said after the deadly air-strike that many rockets had been launched from Qana. However, it changed its version on Monday.

The site was included in an IAF plan to strike at several buildings in proximity to a previous launching site. Similar strikes were carried out in the past. However, there were no rocket launches from Qana on the day of the strike.”

And note, as a matter of record, that I refer to actions taken by the Israel as actions taken by Israel, or the Israeli government, or military. You are the one who equates “Israeli” with “Jewish” when in fact many Israelis are not Jewish, and nationality is not the same as ethnicity or religion. Being “Israeli” is no more the same as being “Jewish” as “American” is the same as being “Christian.”
Baklava says:

August 1, 2006 at 1:21 pm

I suppose Kathy is denying the tactics shown in pictures and video across the world with rocket launchers being shown being driven around population centers to shoot rockets and elude Israeli fighter jets AND make Israel think twice about shooting the rocket launch sites because they are hob-nobbing in and around civilians.

Deny and keep your head in the sand is a tactic also.

Israel won’t not defend themselves.
Severian says:

August 1, 2006 at 1:32 pm

Nothing quite as pathetic, Kathy, as a racist or anti-semite explaining why they aren’t really a racist or anti-semite, and your “explanation” sounds suspiciously like such a rationalization.
Sam A. says:

August 1, 2006 at 3:21 pm

Knock the French all you want, and I knock them quite a bit, if anyone in the world has a chance of successfully leaidng – from a strictly political perspective – peace keeping efforts, it’s going to be the French. They have a history in that area, so much so that the second language in Lebanon after Arabic is French.
Now, will they have the capability of actually militarily leading and holding Hezbollah accountable? Unlikely, unless, the French Ground Commander, UNPKF, is given latitude and then again only if he’s from a real unit like the Para’s or the Foriegn Legion … which is mostly non-French (‘cept the officers, I know) anyway. Unlikely they would send in the Legion tho, so, here’s hoping for the Para’s
Baklava says:

August 1, 2006 at 6:06 pm

Wire services defends STAGED photos

LGF has this post.

or example, the Web site draws attention to a photo by AP’s Lefteris Pitarakis time stamped 7:21 a.m., showing a dead girl in an ambulance. Another picture, stamped 10:25 a.m. and taken by AP’s Mohammed Zaatari, shows the same girl being loaded onto the ambulance. In a third, by AP photographer Nasser Nasser and stamped 10:44 a.m., a rescue worker carries the girl with no ambulance nearby.
Baklava says:

August 1, 2006 at 6:08 pm

Who is this man? He’s been in pictures posing the dead in 1996?
Severian says:

August 1, 2006 at 6:11 pm

Who is this man? He’s been in pictures posing the dead in 1996?

Bak, I think you’ve just found either Abdul Bin Goebbels or Leni “Burqa Babe” Riefenstahl.

Comments are closed.