Israel reported carrying out multiple airstrikes against the towns of Aitaroun and Ayta ash-Shab in southern Lebanon, attacks that followed overnight strikes on Matmoura and a nearby observation post. In all cases Israel said the targets were buildings or targets being used by Hezbollah.
Lebanese military sources noted that in the attacks on Aitaroun a house was hit in one strike, killing a Hezbollah member and wounding at least three civilians. Bulldozers and ambulances rushed to rescue those trapped within. In addition, 11 houses were reported destroyed in other towns.
Hezbollah responded with rocket fire, which they said was retaliation for the shelling of Dhayra, in which a civilian was reported killed. Several of the rockets were intercepted, but at least one hit the town of Metula, damaging a house.
Israeli media reported the increase in low-cost rocket fire amounted to Hezbollah “fire-testing” the Iron Dome system, hoping to find a way to get through Israeli defensive systems and allowing a greater percentage of their fire to hit their targets.
Two drones were reported in Northern Israel coming out of Lebanon. One of the drones, described as explosive-laden, was reported shot down by Israeli troops, while the second crashed without causing any damage or casualties.
These come just two days after Israel attacked the town of Houla, killing four civilians and destroying a home within. Israel reported the attack of Houla as targeting a Hezbollah-used building, though indications were the casualties were just civilians.
Worldwide aid groups issued a joint statement urging the cessation of hostilities in southern Lebanon, warning of a growing number of civilian deaths and the displacement of 91,000+ residents from the area.
Lebanese officials have said talks are likely in the upcoming holy month of Ramadan, though most agree that any chance of the deal hinges on reaching a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, where talks are still ongoing.
“A racket is best described, I believe, something that is not what it seems to the majority of people. Only a small ‘inside’ group knows what it is about. It is conducted for the benefit of the very few, at the expense of the very many. Out of war a few people make large fortunes… If we put them to work making poison gas and more and more fiendish mechanical and explosive instruments of destruction, they will have no time for the constructive job of building a greater prosperity for all peoples. By putting them to this useful job, we can all make more money out of peace than we can out of war – even the munition makers. So … I say, TO HELL WITH WAR.”
— From a speech by Major General Smedley D. Butler (USMC), 1935
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“The only thing worth globalizing is dissent.”
— Arundhati Roy
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Re November:
“Dictators are not in the business of allowing elections that could remove them from their thrones.”
— Gene Sharp, Professor of Political Science
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From Aldous Huxley:
“If one’s different, one’s bound to be lonely.”
“Words can be like X-rays if you use them properly — they’ll go through anything. You read and you’re pierced.”
“No social stability without individual stability.”
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A question is asked:
“Whether ’tis nobler in the mind to suffer
The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,
Or to take arms against a sea of troubles,
And by opposing end them?”
— William Shakespeare
Bill, it’s the latter.
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