New aid route sought in Lebanon

[leftchick]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060808/ts_nm/mideast_lebanon_aid_dc

BEIRUT (Reuters) - An indefinite ban on movement imposed by Israel has made southern Lebanon a "no-go area," humanitarian agencies said on Tuesday, but they were searching for a new route to help war refugees in the region.

On Monday, Israeli warplanes destroyed a makeshift bridge on the Litani river, the last major crossing point used by aid agencies to take medicine and other supplies to thousands of people trapped in the south by heavy fighting and air strikes.

The United Nations World Food Program (WFP) said the blown bridge and a lack of security assurances from Israel meant it was unable to send aid south for the second straight day.

It sought to repair the crossing or find a new route, and said it and might have to resort to shipping goods into the southern port of Tyre by sea if they could find no other way.

"Tyre is currently cut off. (U.N. peacekeeping force) UNIFIL is looking into repairing the bridge but is trying to get assurances from the Israeli Defense Forces they will be safe," said WFP spokesman Robin Lodge.

"So far such assurances are not forthcoming."

[uppityperson]

1. sometimes I think to myself, what if this were happening in (USA city)?

Say Seattle. Or Dallas. Not even the big ones like NY or DC or LA, but another big city or even a smaller place like N.Carolina? What would people be saying as far as getting help there? And then I remember natural disasters like Katrina/Rita and it makes me weary because the world is hard enough without humans blowing up stuff and people too.

[partylessinOhio]

2. God doesn't like ugly and Israel has been plenty ugly with this killing,

invasion and occupation of Lebanon.

The world continues to watch this criminal behavior and war crimes and does nothing.

Yesterday, Israel announced curfews in the towns they have invaded. Who the hell gave Israel this power? This is pure BS!