Soldiers

They were bold and buoyant on their return from southern Lebanon. Some sang the songs that soldiers sing. They appeared victorious, weary and relieved but when asked about the actual achievement of the war, some were despondent and not at all exuberant.

Everywhere there was utter destruction in Lebanese cities, towns and villages. Contrary, no Israeli cities or towns have been demolished or damaged to the extend that Lebanon has suffered. The infrastructure in Israel has been left mostly intact. In Lebanon, a power plant, an oil depo, an airport, multiple bridges and roads have either been damaged or destroyed.

Lebanon deaths:
About 1,000 - mostly civilians
No precise data on Hezbollah dead
Israeli deaths:
Soldiers: 114 (IDF)
Civilians: 43 (IDF)
Lebanon displaced:
700,000 - 900,000 (UNHCR; Lebanese govt)
Israeli displaced:
500,000 (Human Rights Watch)
Lebanon damage:
$2.5bn (Lebanese govt)
Israel damage:
$1.1bn (Israeli govt)

[Source: BBC]

Much gloating and bellowing followed today from Hezbollah, Iran and Syria. If anything, they seemed to have been handed an unintended windfall: The mood in Lebanon now seems firmly towards Hezbollah. The two captured Israeli soldiers that triggered the war, are still captive. Hezbollah, the proclaimed target of the destruction, seems to be rather well and alive, if somewhat diminished. Meanwhile, the sickening reality for the Lebanese seems to be lost on these leaders.

Last night, the Israeli Prime Minister made an hour long speech of belligerent spin in the Knesset, rationalising and justifying the futile escapades of the Israeli Defense Force in Lebanon. Between the Israeli prime minister and the president of the USA, there were a common factor of unconvincing posturing over the whole sad affair.

To all but the US White House and the Israeli majority, the war was senseless, unnecessary and a total disaster for the region. There are no winners and 1.5 million losers. In the mean time, the UN is struggling to bring aid to the desparate refugees who are streaming back to their devastated homes. The country is in need of serious restoration. The schisms of old seem deeper than ever.

In 1981, a song was released that today reflects grimly upon the situation:

Soldiers write the songs
that soldiers sing
the songs that you and I don‚’t sing
they blow their horns
and march along
they drum their drums
and look so strong
you‚’d think that nothing
in the world was wrong
soldiers write the songs
that soldiers sing
the songs that you and I won‚’t sing
let‚’s not look the other way
taking a chance
‚’cause if the bugler starts to play
we too must dance
[ABBA]

The question is: How will you dance?