Mideast Tensions Remain High

Middle East tensions remained high Friday as Israel continued its attacks on Lebanon, targeting Beirut’s airport and residential areas of the capital.

The death toll continues to rise in the retaliatory attacks for Hezbollah’s kidnapping of two Israeli soldiers. The region is already gripped by continued fighting in the Gaza Strip between Israel and Hamas.

Hezbollah, the Iran-supported militant Shiite Muslim group, operates freely in Lebanon and holds seats in the Lebanese legislature. Rocket attacks by the guerrilla fighters hit Haifa, Israel’s third largest city. It’s the first time a Hezbollah-launched rocket has reached that far into the country.

Israel is determined to push the militant fighters back from the positions they’ve held across the country’s border since 2000, and cut off routes they could use to transport the kidnapped soldiers out of the country.

“If the government of Lebanon fails to deploy its forces, as is expected of a sovereign government, we shall not allow Hezbollah forces to remain any further on the borders of the state of Israel,” Israeli Defence Minister Amir Peretz said.

Lebanon has resisted calls from the international community to disarm Hezbollah over fears of civil strife.

Meanwhile, amid Israel’s toughest attacks on the country in 24 years, fears grew among Arab and European governments that the situation could quickly lose control.

Tourists were trapped in Beirut as the city’s international airport was heavily damaged by bomb attacks, prompting a warning from Canadian Foreign Affairs.

“You are advised against all travel to Lebanon due to the events of July 12 in southern Lebanon and the resulting escalation of tensions in the region, including the closure of Beirut International Airport and the ports,” read the statement.

“Heightened tensions throughout the region and the deteriorating security situation put Canadians at greater risk.

“Canadians currently in Lebanon should remain indoors and minimize movement until further notice. Key highways leading out of Lebanon could become targets for military attacks.”

U.S. President George W. Bush backed Israel’s right to defend itself, calling Hezbollah “a group of terrorists who want to stop the advance of peace.”

Prime Minister Stephen Harper shared his support of Israel, calling the response to the kidnapped soldiers “measured” and “simply self-defence”, adding that it’s up to Hezbollah to return the soldiers and work toward peace.

The Arab League has called an emergency meeting of foreign ministers in Egypt this weekend, with the apparent hope of coming up with a diplomatic way to end the region’s growing crisis.