"It's a War"

That's the same mantra spewed out by many warmongers who can't find any other way to "justify" an atrocity committed by a certain side that they support in a certain conflict involving two or more sides. The very saying itself is evident of the lack of empathy or sympathy towards dead civilians in any such casualties, and meant to downplay the seriousness of the situation, especially when the death toll is on a chilling rise. The number of Lebanese 6 feet under is now well over 830, which is quite alarming in this 18th day of conflict. Back in 1996, when the Israelis bombarded Lebanon for 10 straight days, over 200 civilians lost their lives; that's about 20 civilians dead per day. However, in this conflict, you're talking about 830 civilians in just 18 days. That's about 46 deaths per day, over double the death rate back in 1996!

But the mantra is still being drilled on: "innocents will die", blah blah blah. The thing is, many people don't want war, whether they're Lebanese, Palestinian, or Israeli, etc. They won't understand this vague phrase: "war". You could say that there is chaos, and in this "chaos", people die, so it's normal. Let's get back to a war that is the stuff of nightmares: Vietnam ('Nam). Soldiers who fought at that time will recollect for you moments of horror, grief, anger, and misery, along with sad sights of people dying, disfigured, mutilated, etc. But that isn't going to help much. I believe, as a semi-religious humanist, that war is not an excuse to perpetuate crimes of war. The phrase "war", like the mantra of "terrorism", excludes the question "Why?". For example, we witnessed the horrible Qana massacre a few days ago at most. Eyewitnesses on the scene claim that there have been no militants around who could have been a target of such a bombing. Upon discovering the cruelty of Israel's actions, Israel's supporters went on to claim that this is just a part of "war".

No word... no expression... no phrase, whatsoever, can justify what went on in Qana the other day. Even if it was war, it still is an attempt to de-victimize civilian casualties. "War" these days has transformed itself into a buzzword that gives those who participate in it a free permit to kill, maim, frag and destroy. The truth is, what makes the enemy "less human" is nothing: the enemy is human, even in times of war, and even if your enemy acted "barbarously" and "savagely". There is something that many people these days pay no heed to, and that is war ethic. Whether you like it or not, "war" is not a ticket to murder, but tests one's resolve against an invading or defending force. Islamic war ethic is a very good example, which is far different from how many anti-Islamics portray it. As a Muslim, I believe that waging war is just only in self-defense, or in defense of a besieged neighbor and/or ally. Innocents should be avoided, and care should be taken if a city is captured; that is, no one is allowed to go on a rampage and loot, kill and rape, for such things are crimes, even in war. Even enemy combatants are best kept alive, as per the Koran (47:4). Lastly, I think Abu Bakr, the First Rightly-Guided Caliph, hit the nail on the head when he said:

"Do not commit treachery or deviate from the right path.

"You must not mutilate dead bodies.

"Neither kill a child, nor a woman, nor an aged man.

"Bring no harm to the trees, nor burn them with fire, especially those which are fruitful.

"Slay not any of the enemy's flock, save for your food.

"You are likely to pass by people who have devoted their lives to monastic services; leave them alone"

Whatever the situation, war or peacetime, it is the same thing if you murder innocents in one of the 2 situations. The motive of such a killing doesn't change, and, I believe, is not affected by the current situation. Even if the Lebanese people support Hizbullah, the resistance movement (deemed a "terrorist" combatant, though I really don't support Hizbullah as a political movement), that is still no excuse to punish the supporters of such a movement; what I find hypocritical is that at the same time, the Israelis expect the Lebanese to act against Hizbullah for them, especially the security forces and the Lebanese Army (all the while when Israel still attacks them). War ethic must be preserved, as does humanity, which many people have lost faith in, especially Israel, which, although in control of quite much land, resources, political climates, the whole situation, etc., can't control even its own temper. The horrors of war may be a "fact" of life that is "inevitable", but it can be avoided or minimized, for maximizing it on purpose doesn't make one side better than the other (Israel and Hizbullah, for example). Furthermore, on the cycle of violence issue: cycle of violence is what it is, and doesn't downplay death any further. Vengeance should be directed against those who committed a horrible act or war crime, not against innocent civilians. This way, justice can be achieved, and the "war" excuse can seriously be thrown into the dustbin.

Salaam, from
Saracen