To the editor: Mohamad Bazzi clearly summarizes Israel's recent actions against Lebanon. (“Israel's escalating war against Hezbollah is traumatizing Lebanon. There is only one path to peace,” Opinion, September 23)
First of all, Hezbollah does not want to start a war with Israel. Just as the United States is helping Israel, Hezbollah is helping the Palestinians and has said it will stop bombing Israeli territory once there is a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, however, has no intention of stopping the bombings for his own political life.
Lebanon has suffered many disasters in the past. The indiscriminate pager explosions caused extreme trauma to civilians and fear that Israel would invade Lebanon again. The pagers were not only purchased by Hezbollah, but also by ordinary civilians.
Israel will not find peace if it continues its uncontrolled aggression. As long as Israel continues to occupy Palestinian lands, Hezbollah will fight for as long as necessary to bring freedom to the Palestinians.
Israelis and Palestinians want to live in peace, but their leaders have their own interests in carrying out this war. Netanyahu must accept a ceasefire and Hamas will never be able to govern the Gaza Strip.
Israel will have peace only when the Palestinians have their own state and dignity. The Israeli right's attempt to drive out the Palestinians through terror and murder will never succeed.
George Mouro, Rancho Mirage
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To the editor: I disagree with Bazzi that President Biden is pushing for an end to the war.
There is much Biden can do to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza. Several other countries, including Qatar and Egypt, have also attempted to bring home hostages held by Hamas in exchange for a ceasefire.
There are only two people who can achieve this: Netanyahu and Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar. Without their honest participation, there will be no hostage exchange and no peace in Gaza.
Jacquie Sampson, Los Angeles
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To the editor: Maybe because I'm older I question Bazzi's article.
In the summer of 1981 I spent a month on a kibbutz near Kiryat Shmona, near the Lebanese border. Constant nighttime rocket attacks by the Palestine Liberation Organization in Lebanon ruined the peace of the summer and terrified me during the 10 nights I slept in an air raid shelter.
I am amazed at the naivety of everyone who talks about peace and how childish people can be when they talk about issues of hate and war. It will take much more than words to bring peace to that beautiful but troubled part of the world.
First put an end to the hate, and maybe then peace will come.
Ellen Goldenberg, Foca Beach
