(Yes the title is a horrible Beastie Boys pun. Now get over it and read the story.)

More Israeli warplanes pounded Beirut, bringing the airstrike toll in Lebanon to 50 for Monday alone. In the last 6 days, Israel has launched over 600 airstrikes into Lebanon, killing 210 civilians and injuring hundreds more. For the first time in its offensive, Israel was allowing evacuation ships to pass through its blockade off the coast of Lebanon. About 25,000 Americans are currently in Lebanon, as well as thousands of Europeans from various countries. An Italian cruise ship of 340 passengers arrived in Cyprus to unload westerners fleeing Lebanon. Some fear the evacuation of foreign nationals may permit Israel to step up its raids on Lebanese cities without fear of harming non-Lebanese civilians.

The Prime Minister of Israel said, “We shall seek out every installation, hit every terrorist helping to attack Israeli citizens, destroy all the terrorist infrastructure, in every place. We shall continue this until Hezbollah does the basic and fair things required of it by every civilized person.” The Prime Minister’s speech was seen as a step towards peace by the international community since it was the first time Israel has offered a ceasefire in return for the two kidnapped soldiers. Unfortunately, Israel is still vowing to continue its offensive on the Lebanese people for the crimes of Hezbollah, a group the Lebanese government has no power over.

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