Demagogue

I supported Israel's right to strike back at Hezbollah terrorists who had earlier crossed the border and kidnapped Israeli troops. But, as is so often the case, Israel seems determined to damage its credibility -- this time by breaking its own promise.

As CNN reports:

Despite an agreement to stop airstrikes for 48 hours, Israel dropped bombs in southern Lebanon on Monday.

Israel had said it would stop the raids to investigate its bombing of the southern Lebanon city of Qana on Sunday that killed at least 54 civilians.

The airstrike -- which killed many children and sparked international outrage -- threatened to derail work toward a resolution in the 20-day conflict between Israel and Lebanon-based Hezbollah guerrillas.

In its agreement, Israel had reserved the right to hit targets that it considered an immediate threat. But the Israeli army said Monday's strikes near the Lebanese village of Tayba were meant to protect ground forces operating in the border area and were not aimed at specific targets.