Posted on 08/18/2006 12:38:53 PM PDT by okiedog
South Lebanon Christians bitter over Israeli attack
QLAIAH, Lebanon: Ever since a truce between Israel and Hizbollah took hold this week, Boulos Abu Hamad and his family have been cleaning up the damage they say was left by Israeli troops who occupied their home for a night.
Their properties have only been moderately affected compared to the devastation of nearby Shi’ite Muslim towns, but residents of some Christian areas in southern Lebanon are just as angry with the Israelis.
“We are Maronite Christians. We are neither with Israel nor with Hizbollah nor with any other party so why did they do this to us?” said Abu Hamad’s wife, breaking into tears.
“Their troops came and ruined the bedroom furniture. We threw out the clothes I bought for my sister’s wedding because they ruined them and sacked the drawers and cupboards. They left nothing intact. Even their dogs left mess in the house.”
Many Lebanese Christians, Sunni Muslims and Druze have criticised Hizbollah for touching off the war by capturing two Israeli soldiers in a cross-border raid on July 12.
But they are also furious with Israel’s devastating response, which killed at least 1,100 people in Lebanon. One hundred and fifty-seven Israelis were killed in the conflict.
When Israeli troops invaded Lebanon last week and occupied the Christian villages of Marjayoun and Qlaiah — once home to the defunct pro-Israeli South Lebanon Army militia — they went from house to house, locals say, hammering down doors, breaking glass and trashing the contents for no reason they could fathom.
Soldiers took up positions in the neighbouring villages, entering and leaving residential areas after imposing a curfew.
Barely a shot was fired from Qlaiah, which was occupied by Israel until 2000, at Israeli infantry that advanced from the border to Christian towns around Aug. 10. Villagers say Hizbollah did not fight from among them.
No one thought the area would come under attack, and in comparison to nearby Hizbollah strongholds where houses and shops have been completely flattened, it has not.
A few buildings in the picturesque cobbled square of Marjayoun had been hit, apparently after some shots were fired at advancing Israeli troops.
Israeli soldiers also entered Marjayoun barracks and the town hall, their tanks crumpling or flattening the cars parked outside it and leaving imprints on the tarmac.
A peek through the padlocked gate into a clinic in Qlaiah reveals white doctors’ coats hanging up and a table of medical tools nearby, surrounded by broken glass and metal.
Glass litters a nearby optician’s and dental clinic, where neighbours say medical equipment has been damaged.
“May God not bring them fortune,” said one resident surveying the damage. “It is disgusting,” agreed another.
Say What?
" So they are puppets on a string? Sounds about right."
Sound like french puppets, no less.
We tend to make up our own minds around here, and don't just accept anyone's "theology". I can tell you I'll never accept any islamonazi "theology", though.
"I'd to see you, as a civilian, try to take on a well armed militia that has just kicked the IDF in the teeth. It's really easy to criticize."
Especially from 8,000 miles away.
THEY ARE CHRISTIANS!
If my nation wouldn't defend me and I couldn't defend myself, I'd have gotten the hell out of there. What was he doing for all these years while Hezbollah was turning his town into a military base?
Whatever that means...
From what I read that he wrote. I wouldn't call him a Christian.
My criticism is perfectly legitimate. The non-Hezbollah Lebanese who watched and did nothing for years and years and years while Hezbollah built up their arms and forces and entrenched themselves are not innocent in this matter.
ping
They are Christians that have allowed the Hezbollah to operate from their midst. I didn't say it was their fault, but the fact remains that they are with Hezbollah in proximity, and that, unfortunately, is what led to the trouble.
Thank you for your service.
"Whatever that means..."
It means that his writings are occultic, with Christian and Islamic overtones. The Sufi are to Islam what Kaballah is to Judaism.
I have been wondering to what extent Hez might be outsiders or what w call illegal aliens.
Oh, please. This whole article is one of a number of anti Israeli hit pieces. The "christians" that whine in these articles are tools of the hezzbos.
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