The Axis of Terror acts

Israel is doing what it can to minimise civilian casualties- for example by dropping leaflets warning civilians to evacuate places about to be attacked, even though this also allows Hezbollah fighters to flee.

There is much talk of the supposed lack of "proportionality" of the Israeli response, and comparisons of casualty figures. But it should be remembered that Israel is entitled to respond in proportion to the threat, not just to the specific illegal cross-border kidnapping and rocket attacks that sparked its counter-actions. And that threat is indeed very grave, given the thousands of Hezbollah rockets, the declared intent to use them against Israeli cities and towns, and the promise of further "surprises".

It should also be remembered that Hezbollah is deliberately and cynically using civilian shields to confront Israel with a no-win situation. If Israel doesn’t strike back, Hezbollah is free to plan and arm for further attacks whenever this suits Iran. But if Israel does retaliate and civilians are injured or killed, the Jewish state can be pilloried for its supposed brutality.

The obvious resolution of the problem is for Lebanon to regain control over its own foreign policy and all its territory, and thus obviate any need for Israel to respond militarily to Hezbollah attacks. UN Security Council Resolutions 1559, 1566 and 1680 demand just that. Lebanon needs international assistance and encouragement to do so.

Hezbollah must be significantly weakened, so that it has no ability to seriously interfere with the extension of Lebanese sovereignty.

No one wants the current violence and suffering on both sides to continue. But if the problem of Hezbollah’s anomalous Iranian-backed state-within-a-state in Lebanon is not resolved, not only will Lebanon remain unable to gain full democratic sovereignty, the violence and civilian deaths will certainly return repeatedly in coming months and years.

That is why everyone of goodwill should be hoping and working for a sustainable ceasefire as soon as possible, but not one second before it is crystal clear that the conditions for stability and quiet will follow - Hezbollah dismantled as a military force and Lebanon in control of its own southern border.