On and on and on

It has to stop now. Those were the words of Jan Egeland, the Under-Secretary-General of the UN for Humanitarian Affairs. In an interview with BBC World today, Jan Egeland expressed his dismay and exasperation with the current spiral of violence in Lebanon.

A million Lebanese have been displaced within a month. More than 100 000 Lebanese are in desperate need for humanitarian assistance but are out of reach due to collapse in logistic infrastructure after Israeli bombing raids. Ongoing bombing and threats of bombing obstruct UN aid workers from reaching these Lebanese. A thousand Lebanese civilians have been killed so far - 30% are under the age of 13. Israel has lost 122 people, mostly soldiers, to this war. Each party is able to stop the carnage, at the drop of a hat. Yet it goes on.

Mr Egeland summarised the dire situation as no-win for either party. Every day prolonged fighting means more deaths on each side, more civilians killed. If it has to come to blows, each side should think first and then bomb - not vice versa as it appears to happen.

Wholesale destruction of houses and domestic infrastructure together with many civilians is brutal, according to Mr Egeland. In the same breath, indiscriminate rocket attacks on Israeli towns and cities are similarly deplorable. For armed militia to hind amongst the public is appalling. For the UN Security Council to churn on the details for so long while these atrocities continue, is a disgrace. Therefore, the fighting should stop and it should stop now. The only solution is a political solution, addressing the fundamental issues. [Israel has created a generation of hatred]

The UN Human Rights Commission has voted today to investigate alleged Israeli human rights abuses in Lebanon. In a counter move, the Simon Wiesenthal Centre appealed to the same body to investigate Lebanon for complacency in allowing Hezbollah to rearm with rockets.

On and on and on it goes. Tit for tat. Accusation is met with counter accusation. Each side turns the facts to suit it own agenda and narrative.

"On and on an on, keep on rocking baby, 'till the night is gone..." [ABBA]