Deplorable

From the Ottawa Citizen, UN Observer Maj. Hess-von Kruedener in an email days before his death following the Israeli strike on his outpost wrote:

"The closest artillery has landed within 2 meters (sic) of our position and the closest 1000 lb aerial bomb has landed 100 meters (sic) from our patrol base. This has not been deliberate targeting, but rather due to tactical necessity."

"What that means is, in plain English, 'We've got Hezbollah fighters running around in our positions, taking our positions here and then using us for shields and then engaging the (Israeli Defence Forces)."

Hezballah and other groups continue to use innocent civilians and UN peacekeepers as human shields, hiding missiles in homes and hiding their positions behind hospitals, churches, and mosques. This is nothing short of despicable, particularly damning considering Hezballah claims to be a righteous Islamic party. No decent person, let alone a devout Muslim could justify using these shields. This of course makes it very difficult for Israel to effectively target the Hezballah fighters without incurring excessive civilian casualties. Very difficult, but not impossible.