Peace is a mirage in troubled region

The resignation yesterday of Dan Halutz, Israel's army chief, over his forces' failure to win the war on Lebanon serves as a reminder of how difficult it has become to make peace in this troubled region. Israel's aggression against Lebanon, its biggest operation since the invasion of the Arab country in 1982, failed to achieve its declared goals - the release of the two soldiers captured by Hezbollah hours before the war started, and the "crushing" of Hezbollah. The Lebanese group was able to launch retaliatory rocket attacks on Israeli targets up till the last moments of the conflict. The two soldiers of course remain in Hezbollah custody and secret negotiations are underway to make a deal to exchange prisoners.

Halutz's resignation was expected however as calls for his sacking came from every corner in the Israeli establishment. They were asking for his removal not because he waged a war against Lebanon but his failure to crush the enemy. Many would recall similar circumstances following the 1982 invasion. But for a different reason. Then defence minister Ariel Sharon was asked to resign by the Cabinet after a judicial commission found him responsible for the invasion and the subsequent massacre that took place in the Palestinian camps of Sabra and Shatila. A few months earlier, hundreds of Israelis protested in downtown Tel Aviv against the war.

Today, Israeli children are being photographed drawing death cartoons on bombs and rockets sent to kill Lebanese children. Israeli public opinion is angry because Halutz failed to kill more than 1,000 Lebanese civilians slaughtered during the summer war. This shows how radical Israeli society has become.

The resignation of Halutz, despite his decision to wage an all-out war against the neighbouring Arab state, underscores the difficulty, if not the impossibility, of achieving peace in the Middle East while the mentality of warmongering prevails in Israel. It also reminds us all of the task ahead.