Is Lebanon Missing Another Opportunity?

Day 11 of the tit-for-tat war between Israel and Hizballa has just come to an end and there is no clear winner. Hizballa's ability to lob rockets into Israel does not seem to have been hindered despite the hundreds of sorties by the IAF. Missiles are still raining by the dozens on Northern Israel, including Haifa. Israel has scored a point by taking the hill-top village of Maroun El Ras after fierce combat and suffering 6 dead.

While there is still no clear winner, there is a clear loser: Lebanon. The country has suffered close to 400 civilian deaths, its infrastructure severely damaged, its factories on fire and a promising touristic summer wasted. Further, Lebanon has suffered severe reputational damage in the eyes of businesses planning to establish themselves there, and tourists planning to visit.

The worst part of this tragedy is that it might be in vain. Initial hope that the Israeli onslaught would bring an end of Hizballa is waning. Israel's vengeful air campaign has destroyed many targets that cannot be linked to Hizballa, including:

• The Beirut Airport
• Practically every bridge in Lebanon
• Lebanese Army barracks and positions, the same Lebanese Army that is supposed to disarm Hizballa and deploy in Southern Lebanon.
• Numerous factories, including a newly-built milk bottling facility
• Telecommunication towers and TV relay stations belonging to moderate and Christian stations.

This extensive collateral damage is creating, at best, increased animosity towards Israel, and at worst, increased support for Hizballa. Nasrallah's organization is not close to being dismantled, and is gaining support on the Arab street.

Sadly, the worst sin is probably being committed by the Lebanese Leadership. By not isolating Hizblla politically and pressuring it to release the Israeli hostages and stopping its attacks against Israel, Lebanon in ensuring that the onslaught continues, and that Hizballa remains a thorn in Lebanon's side.

The ultimate irony of the story is that Lebanon's loss is the gain of countries such as Syria and Iran. Hotels in major Syrian cities are booked at capacity, its airport is busy as a beehive. Iran on the other hand is benefiting from the increase in oil prices, and by some estimates, Iran has made about 500 million dollars out of the "July War".