Deepening Tragedy in Lebanon : In the face of rising civilian toll, Israel should end its attacks

An attempt by Israeli gunners to suppress rocket and mortar fire from a Hezbollah position in southern Lebanon on Thursday led to the greatest tragedy of the renewed conflict. A number of Israeli artillery shells fell on a U.N. post in the village of Qana, 300 yards from their intended target. Hundreds of Lebanese civilians who had sought refuge at the post were killed or wounded. Four Fijian soldiers in the U.N. force were among the wounded.

Israel expressed regret for the carnage and said it was an accident. But even before Thursday’s disaster at Qana and an earlier bombing raid that killed 11 Lebanese in an apartment building 20 miles away, a week of fighting had produced far too many civilian casualties. Acts of war are judged by their physical and moral consequences and not just their motivations. The consequences in Lebanon daily grow more appalling.

Hezbollah is an elusive enemy, its fighters blending among villagers. Its Iranian-supplied Katyusha rockets are highly portable. Just as U.S. pilots fared badly during the Persian Gulf War in trying to locate Iraq’s Scud missiles, so are the Israelis finding it hard to spot Hezbollah fighters and their Katyushas. A familiar progression is taking place. As frustrations mount, the increased use of force becomes more tempting, but also far riskier. When Hezbollah fires rockets into Israel, its purpose is to kill civilians. Israel may not be seeking to kill innocent Lebanese in the fighting but it is doing so anyway, in growing numbers and with no discernible strategic benefit. The horror of Qana must not be repeated. It’s time to end this conflict.