Hostages to fate

With the increasing tensions and violence in Lebanon, there are calls for the United States government to intervene, at least enough to help American citizens trapped to escape to safety. With Israel systematically isolating Lebanon, hoping to trap Hezbollah within the nation and keep their kidnapped soldiers from being taken to another country, the ready points of exit are all being closed down.

I expect that the United States Navy will play a major role. As has happened before in other nations, I see the Navy moving an amphibious assault group to the coast of Lebanon, sending forces ashore to secure an evacuation area, and then taking civilians out to the ships — with, most likely, the full knowledge and blessing of both Israel and Lebanon.

The one thing that worries me is that these two governments are not the only players in this game. In fact, the Lebanese government is not even one of the major players.

Hezbollah holds no great love for the United States. Back in 1982, they scored what was arguably their greatest victory when they blew up the Marine barracks in Beirut, killing 242 Americans and leading to the US withdrawing from Lebanon in defeat. As others have noted, roughly a third of the US’ Most Wanted Terrorists list represents Hezbollah. The idea of a whole group of hated Americans, the nation that arms and encourages the Zionist State currently kicking Hezbollah’s ass, would be just sitting there would be a tremendously tempting target — for either kidnapping or killing.

And is there anyone who thinks that Hezbollah would pass on such an opportunity?

I feel a great deal of sympathy for the innocent people of Lebanon — and I know that a lot of them are, indeed, innocent. And I fear for my fellow citizens who are trapped there now. Their safety depends on, in large part, the mercy and sanity of Hamas — two commodities I believe to be in very short supply.

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9 Comments

  1. Tim July 15, 2006
  2. serfer62 July 15, 2006
  3. ExSubNuke July 15, 2006
  4. Muslim Unity July 15, 2006
  5. Muslim Unity July 15, 2006
  6. bobdog July 15, 2006
  7. Justrand July 15, 2006
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  9. Bob Jones July 15, 2006