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The War's Deathbed

Patrick McGreevy Beirut 14 August 2006


It is 3 am in Beirut. The war is scheduled to keel over and give up the ghost in five hours. Those of us attending the deathbed scene are full of questions and doubts. Might we finally grasp the purpose of this war in its concluding moments the way we find, in 19th-century novels, the meaning of a character’s life in the death-bed scene? Or might we learn that the war is as meaningless as it seems? A few hours ago, Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni announced that Israel will negotiate for the release of the two prisoners captured on July 12, something Hezbollah was ready to do 33 days ago. 

I was crying and shouting, but nobody was answering

Lebanon 14 August 2006


Mahmoud Zeidan with Lens on Lebanon conducted interviews with citizens of southern Lebanon after they had been evacuated to hospitals. They and their doctors tell of indiscriminate bombing, the targeting of civilians and the use of unknown and exotic weaponry. Ahmad Ibrahim Hachim: “I lost my wife (31 years) and my three sons (2 years, 8 years and 12 years). My brother lost three sons (10 months, 7 years and 11 years). My third brother lost his two daughters (2 years and 4 years), and I lost my father (67 years). My cousin also lost his wife and five sons.” 

Beirut street projections in New York City

Nigel Parry 14 August 2006


On Saturday, August 12th, members of the NY-based activist collective Action Wednesday, organized a series of projections in outdoor public spaces around Manhattan. The videos were aimed at giving out information and raising awareness about Israel’s war against Lebanon. Three locations were chosen for projections: Washington Square Park, Union Square, and the Bowery. Five videos were used: the Electronic Lebanon PSA, “From Beirut to…those who love us”, “Beirut 1982/2006”, footage from a recent demonstration in Washington DC, and a montage of images and factoids. Equipment and guidance was provided by the Graffiti Reseach Lab. Photos by EI’s Nigel Parry. 

Cessation of hostilities will begin on Monday, Annan announces

12 August 2006


The conflict that has engulfed Lebanon and northern Israel over the past month is set to end on Monday when a cessation of hostilities called for by the United Nations Security Council enters into force, Secretary-General Kofi Annan announced today following talks with the leaders of both countries. “As I promised the Security Council yesterday, I have today been in touch with the Prime Ministers of Israel and Lebanon to discuss with them the exact date and time when the cessation of hostilities called for by the Council will enter into force,” Mr. Annan said in a statement, announcing that the two leaders have agreed that “the cessation of hostilities and the end of the fighting will enter into force on 14 August, at 0500 hours GMT.” 

Fighting between Israel and Hizbollah intensifies with UN positions hit again

13 August 2006


Civilians make up the overwhelming majority of the victims of this conflict, which broke out following Hizbollah’s capture of two Israeli soldiers on 12 July. According to the Lebanese Higher Relief Council, over 1,000 Lebanese have been killed and 3,600 wounded, while Israel’s Government reports that more than 40 Israeli civilians have been killed. An estimated one fourth of the entire population of Lebanon has been forced to flee their homes. 

On the eve of ceasefire

Zena El-Khalil Beirut 13 August 2006


This morning, I woke up with a smile on my face. My husband had jumped on top of me, kissing me all over my face, saying that the war was going to end, that the UN voted, that things were going to get better now. I had only fallen asleep two hours earlier, but jumped out of bed with a kind of energy I hadn’t had in over a month. It was a good morning. Everything changes this weekend. Things are supposed to come to some kind of end. One way or another. On the eve of ceasefire, I have mixed emotions. I am grateful that things are coming to and end. However, the real work now lies ahead of us. It’s not just about rebuilding — lives, country and morale. It’s also about moving forward positively on all sides. 

Adalah's letter to Israeli Attorney General in Ha'aretz: The International Criminal Tribunal and Civilian Targets

Adalah 13 August 2006


On 13 August, Adalah: The Legal Center for Arab Minority Rights in Israel placed an ad in the Israeli daily Ha’aretz addressed to Israeli Attorney General Meni Mazuz: “We wish to draw your attention to the judgment of the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY), which convicted senior commanders and politicians for killing civilians and the destruction of vilalges and houses, among other charges. The Tribunal imposed sentences of between 15 and 45 years’ imprisonment. 

Rafah crossing closed after being open less than 7 hours in 2 days

13 August 2006


PCHR condemns the re-closure of Rafah International Crossing Point when the EU observers withdrew from it after it had been opened for less than seven hours in two days for departing travelers. PCHR believes that such repeated behavior is consistent with collective punishment measures taken by IOF against the Palestinian civilian population in the Gaza Strip. PCHR is concerned that this suspicious role may lead to an escalation in violations of Palestinians’ human rights in the Gaza Strip, especially the right to freedom of movement. 

Police stop civilian convoy heading south

13 August 2006


A civilian convoy of more than 150 people in 47 cars was turned back by local police when attempting to bring relief supplies from Beirut to Nabatiyeh, 80km south of the capital on Saturday. Organisers and participants of the Campaign of Resistance returned to Beirut after being advised by police that it was unsafe to travel any further than the checkpoint at Neama, about 20 km south of Beirut. “We are currently meeting and discussing our next move,” said campaign spokesperson Rasha Salti. “It is likely, though not definite, that it will be the organisation of another civilian convoy. Either way, we will be taking action very, very soon.” 

Beirut, the Incredible Shrinking City

Maya Mikdashi Beirut 12 August 2006


Before yesterday, an Israeli missile slammed into an old, unused lighthouse in Beirut, near the Lebanese American University. Debris from the attack found its way to my father’s office building. Inside it was my father. When he left his office, he found a paper on the ground that warned him that he was in danger, and it was due to Hezbollah’s, not Israel’s, rockets. All over Beirut papers fluttered down to the streets, arriving in pieces sometimes (like snowflakes, Ahmad said) - perhaps exhausted from their long journey to the ground from the heights of an Israeli warplane. As the papers neared the streets cars stopped, bodies stooped, and people read.