The Question That Cannot be Avoided

How many more Lebanese homes must burn before the international community decides that this is an atrocity worth condemning?

Where is the outrage?

Where are the urgent diplomatic interventions?

Where is the protection promised to civilians?

And most importantly:

Will southern Lebanon be allowed to become another Gaza — slowly emptied, systematically destroyed and then presented to the world as a “security arrangement”❓

These attacks are taking place while diplomatic contacts between Lebanon and Israel continue under U.S. involvement in Rome .

So another question must be asked:

What is the purpose of negotiations if the bombs, artillery and ground operations continue while the diplomatic process is underway?

If Washington has leverage over Israel, why is that leverage not being used to stop attacks on Lebanese civilians and civilian property❓

And if the United States under President Donald Trump is genuinely seeking a diplomatic settlement, why does Israeli military action appear to continue with so little visible consequence❓

Is Washington unwilling — or unable — to restrain Netanyahu❓

And what does this mean for Lebanon’s sovereignty❓

President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam also face questions from the Lebanese public:

Is Beirut negotiating merely for a ceasefire and the restoration of sovereignty❓

Or is a much broader regional political settlement being quietly contemplated ( Abraham Accords-type arrangement for example ) ❓

But the broader political question remains legitimate:

Why does Israel continue to enjoy such extraordinary diplomatic space while southern Lebanon burns❓

The international community cannot claim ignorance.

The images exist.

The casualties exist.

The destroyed homes exist.

The people of the South are still there.

Southern Lebanon is not a bargaining chip.

Lebanese civilians are not collateral for a regional deal.

And sovereignty cannot be negotiated under fire.

What a shame!