| Ander Nieuws week 30 / nieuwe oorlog 2006 |
Daily Star
July 18, 2006
The relentless bombardment of Lebanon has caused an incredible amount of death and destruction. The first detailed report by the Internal Security Forces' directorate general, released Monday, documented the sheer amount of human and material damage since last Wednesday as a result of Israeli raids over vital public utilities and residential areas.
Crucial infrastructure was among the first to be targeted, including an initial aerial attack on a power station.
The runways of Rafik Hariri International Airport, the Qoleiaat Airport in North Lebanon and the Riyaq Military Airport in the Bekaa - were all severely damaged, as were the three main sea ports of Beirut, Tripoli and Jamil Gemayel.
Communication and television broadcast antennas were also among the first to be targeted. Missiles struck antennas belonging to the Hizbullah-owned Al-Manar station in Kfar Selwan and another in the Tripoli port belonging to the maritime operations room, as well as one belonging to the MTC mobile company in Dahr al-Baidar.
The main focus of the destruction has been on roads and bridges, however, mostly those linking Beirut to South Lebanon. A total of 38 roads have been cut off by bombs or shells, and 42 bridges have been destroyed. These include the new Qassimieh bridge linking Sidon to Tyre, five bridges in Nabatieh, three bridges in Dammour (including the Oceana Bridge), the two bridges of Hadid linking Bqosta in the South to Alman in the Chouf, Hajje in Maamarieh, Namlieh in Dahr al-Baidar, the new bridge on the Mdayrej international road, and a bridge on the road to the airport, to name but a few.
Severe damage and destruction have also been inflicted on civilian property, with more than 100 homes and residential buildings destroyed in the areas of Tyre, Aita al-Shaab, Rmeish, Houla, Sarifa, Braachit, Shahour, Borayqeh, Shehabieh, Doueir, Aaba, Majadel, Dabaal, Jbeil, Ain Mezreb, Ghandourieh, Haret Hreik, Baalbek, Khiam, Dibbine, Marjayoun, Kfar Shuba, Bint Jbeil, Aitaroun, Tibnin, Maaroub, Kounin, Blida, Kfar Hammam, Meis al-Jabal, Jabal al-Batm, and Abbassieh.
Several important public buildings have also been destroyed, including the Mayss al-Jabal Hospital and several schools in Kounin. A church in Rmeish and a mosque in Tiri were also severely damaged. An looming fuel shortage was made more imminent by the destruction of fuel containers in Jiyye and 12 service stations in Bir Abed, Khiam, Ain Ibl, Moseileh, Rmeileh, Houla, Hesbe, Tyre, Kfar Kila, and Douris.
The military has sustained heavy damage as well, with Israel striking Lebanese Army post in Jounieh, Amsheet, Sidon, Batroun and Abdeh, as well as ISF military vehicles in Haret Hreik.
In addition to the material damage, 144 deaths and 382 wounded had been recorded as of 8 a.m. on Monday, and as The Daily Star went to press, Tuesday's death toll stood at 46.
At least 36,800 residents have fled Beirut's southern suburbs for more secure areas, where they are being housed in public schools. About 14,500 are being housed in 65 schools across Beirut alone. Even if the war ended now, most would not have homes or businesses to go back to.
Copyright (c) 2006 The Daily Star
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