A Conspiracy Theory, Or Two...

I am not a fan of conspiracy theories despite their popularity in the Middle East. However, I'm a bit confused by the clumsiness of the IAF.

First, the IAF destroys a clearly marked UN observation post, killing 4 UN observers. This incident has, no doubt, sent chills down the spine of any country that was considering sending peacekeepers to Lebanon. This was, indeed, a very unproductive act.

Today, the IAF levels a building serving as a shelter to many children in Qana, the same Qana where the IDF committed another terrible mistake 10 years ago. The carnage is no less devastating in terms of its human toll and forces Israel to accept a cease-fire it has been resisting for 2 weeks.

Note that the conspiracy theories below are only meant to generate a discussion and are not meant as serious analytical theories.

Conspiracy theory #1: Hizballa is pointing their own laser target designators, illuminating buildings of their choosing and confusing Israel's smart bombs into hitting the wrong target. By doing so, the Iranian proxy is cornering Israel diplomatically.

Conspiracy theory #2: Instead of using technology to confuse the IAF targeting, Hizballa is using double agents to achieve the same purpose.

Conspiracy theory #3: Condi pressures Ehud to announce a cease-fire. Ehud does not want to lose face so he creates this incident as an excuse for a cease-fire.


What do you think is behind these two puzzling events?

Not another Qana!

What has happened in Qana today is absolutely horrible. This terrible loss of innocent life (over 54 dead, many of them children) will be remembered by the Lebanese as another dark episode in their history with Israel. This massacre due to the sloppy targeting by the IAF will weigh on Israel's conscience for years to come.

But let us not forget the huge moral responsibility that Hizballa bears in every loss of innocent life in Lebanon. By having dispersed their infrastructre in the midst of heavily populated areas, by launching their rockets from alleys between houses and mosques, Nasrallah's militia is in effect using the Lebanese population as human shields.

The horrific massacre that has taken place today is a turning point in this war. This will force a cease fire on Israel before it is able to inflict enough pain on Hizballa, and the ensuing politcal settlement may prove inconclusive. If Hizballa is not disarmed as a result of this war, there will be more Qanas in Lebanon's future, and all the death and distruction would have been in vain.