That alone shows stark contrast: Israel cares about just one soldier.

Since the government of Palistine and the terror org that launches missles at the Israeli civilian population is one in the same, it is clear to me that ALL government facilities in Palistine are fair game for Israeli attack.

The consistent rule of war is that you use whatever means it takes to win. Weapons like gas have seen little use since WW1 since they have proven ineffective in war (at least, so far). But if you have an effective means of waging war, you will eventually use it.

Subsitute Hamas for Hezbollah. It’s really a distinction without much of a difference.

Israel gave the reason for taking out the power plant in Gaza as “it will make it difficult to move the captured soldier”. This is ridiculous. Cars can still travel when there is no power.

Disrupting the power is going to have a significant impact on Hamas’ abilty to communicate. Cell phones, computers, etc. are dependent on power to be useful for communications. Hampering Hama communications will make it more difficult to safely move the kidnapped Israelis. Also, while cars are not directly dependent on the power grid, the gas stations where they refuel are.

The only reason for taking out the Gaza power plant was “collective punishment” for civilians by deliberately targetting civilian infrastructure, something that is outlawed under Geneva conventions.

Forgive me, but this is just wrong. There are many military reasons beyond mere “collective punishment” for disrupting the power, transportation, and communications infrastructure of an enemy nation.

Notice also that this whole mess started a a result of Israel not recognizing the democratically elected and legitimate government in Gaza, after Hamas was elected. Israel then started waging economic warfare on Gaza by shutting off all flow of funds into Gaza.

Actually the mess started when the PA “elected” a terrorist group dedicated to the destruction of Israel and the Jewish people to lead it. It’s kind of silly of you to expect Israel to have any dealings, financial or otherwise with them.

Hamas retaliated by capturing the soldier (just ONE soldier, mind you).

So the “elected” government of the PA commits and act of war against Israel and Israel is just supposed to suck it up? And let’s be honest, this capturing of “one soldier” is not the first act of war committed by Hamas (the democratically and legitimate govenment in Gaza) against Israel, only the latest. Palestinian militants (Hamas and Islamic Jihad) have been launching rockets from Gaza at Israel since the withdrawl.

Israel is clearly violating international law. It’s a shame that the US is encouraging and abetting this behavior.

Is it really clear? For the sake of argument, lets assume it is, but what about the “legitimate government” of Gaza allowing militants to launch rocket attacks from their territory on civilian targets in Israel and kidnap Israeli citizens? Is that a violation of “international law”, or does international law only apply to the US and Israel?

Don’t Hezbollah and the civilians use the same power grid?

ucfengr, please read carefully. I was talking about Israel’s attack on Gaza, not about the attack on Lebanon.

Israel gave the reason for taking out the power plant in Gaza as “it will make it difficult to move the captured soldier”. This is ridiculous. Cars can still travel when there is no power. The only reason for taking out the Gaza power plant was “collective punishment” for civilians by deliberately targetting civilian infrastructure, something that is outlawed under Geneva conventions.

Notice also that this whole mess started a a result of Israel not recognizing the democratically elected and legitimate government in Gaza, after Hamas was elected. Israel then started waging economic warfare on Gaza by shutting off all flow of funds into Gaza. Hamas retaliated by capturing the soldier (just ONE soldier, mind you). Israel then knocked out the power plant and started bombarding Gaza. It was then and only then that Hezbollah captured two Israeli soldiers, and demanded a cease-fire. Israel refused and started bombarding Lebanon also.

Israel is clearly violating international law. It’s a shame that the US is encouraging and abetting this behavior.

Don’t Hezbollah and the civilians use the same power grid? I’ve been to several military bases around the world and while some had back-up power for critical systems, they all tied into the civilian power grid for their power, if there was one available. I find it hard to believe that Hezbollah has their own power generating capability that Israel chose to bypass.

Actually the first thing they did was to take out airfields that could be used for resupply. Somewhat down the list was the power plant, infrastructure aiding the Hez command and control center in Beirut.

You may be aware that the president of Lebanon supports Hez and is now threatening to let the army fight side by side with Hez.

In any regard a State of War has existed between Israel and Lebanon since 1948 and has never been ended by treaty. All targets in Lebanon are therefore in play.

That is not covered in the Conventions. How States fight wars is their own look out.

If Lebanon wants to escape the consequences of its actions the route is very simple. Surrender and conclude a peace treaty recognizing Israel. And, Israeli troops will occupy as required to bring about civil peace. The steps are very simple and are the way that states terminate hostilities. Surrender and the occupying power has the ball in its court.

What part of “simple” don’t you understand?

“What’s to condemn? Israel has a right to defend itself.”

Sure, but deliberately targetting civilian infrastructure is outlawed by the Geneva Conventions. The first thing Israel did going into Gaza this time was bomb the civilian power supply (the power plant). That’s a clear violation of the Geneva Conventions. These things call out for condemnation.

HighBeam Encylopedia seems nice.

I think Israel should fight until Lebanon surrenders, and become an Occupying Power. I also note that a ceasefire is not peace.

Those who hate Israel to death must be killed or neutralized; but moderates must be safe to disagree with Hezbollah.

Derek? Care to maybe reexamine your assertion?

I only ask because I notice a tendency of some to raise a point or assert something, only to ignore it when someone refutes it.