Diplomats struggle to prevent all-out war

Dear Editor:

Regarding efforts by diplomats to prevent all-out war after Hezbollah murdered at least 15 children and teenagers playing soccer in Majdal Shams in Israel with a rocket supplied by Iran: 

The binding United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701 passed after the war Hezbollah started in 2006 required that no armed forces other than the official Lebanese army and UNIFIL be in Lebanon south of the Litani River and ultimately the Lebanese army was to be the only armed group anywhere in Lebanon.

Instead, UNIFIL did nothing as Hezbollah completely took over southern Lebanon and installed an estimated 150,000 missiles there. Despite President Biden's warning to Hezbollah in October - DON'T - if they thought of doing anything, aside from repeatedly cautioning Israel to act with restraint he has stood by as Hezbollah has bombarded northern Israel with thousands of rockets and forced nearly 100,000 Israelis from their homes.

This is a situation which Israel cannot allow to continue indefinitely. Either the United Nations or some of its members will actually enforce Resolution 1701 or there will be an all-out war, one which will make Gaza seem like a minor spat. The only question is "when?"

If it comes to that, the blame will lie not just with Hezbollah and Iran, but with the United Nations.

Sincerely,

Alan Stein

Sent to the Boston Globe July 29, 2024

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