Dubai: The current UN resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire and Israel's withdrawal is intended to take effect today. But will the dream ever become a reality? Will the UN eventually have the power to stop the war?
A majority of people Gulf News interviewed feel that Israel is crippling the region and stopping it from living peacefully.
Many were becoming increasingly pessimistic regarding the war on Lebanon. Heaping criticism on Israel and the UN, a lot of residents thought the UN was all talk and no action.
"Although the majority of the countries within the UN want a ceasefire, the superpowers in the international community are against it. And because they are very powerful in the UN, the body does not have the power to enforce peace in the Middle East," said Egyptian Rola Sameh.
Compatriot Muntasir Abdul Moneime echoed her words, saying that the UN does a better job in providing aid to humanitarian causes and matters related to world hunger but not in resolving issues dealing with superpowers.
While the UN resolution is continuously undergoing changes, "there are still many bridges and buildings being destroyed, and there are too many people dying. Nothing is being done in Lebanon, Palestine or Iraq," said Jordanian Mohammad Ali.
Ukrainian Anastacia Tyamusheva said: "In World War I they had an independent body that acted like the United Nations, which wasn't helpful. Then World War II came and [the League of Nations] didn't help yet again. Now we are entering World War III, and I doubt that the UN can do anything this time round."
Briton David Smith said that the UN was powerless and was a mere puppet under America's control.
Russian model Terauds Linna, 20, one of the few optimistic interviewees, said, "it is possible that the UN resolution will put an end to this war."
She also advocated "a worldwide boycott against Israel that would put them in economic isolation."
Another hopeful, Filipino resident Red Reyes, described the UN as "the world's voice," adding that it had the power to stop the killings.
"I believe the UN Resolution can help stop the war," he said.
British tourist and student Waleed Al Shaghana, 21, said: "Israel will eventually impose its authority in the region," adding that Israel was also controlling the UN and was crippling the latter from controlling the situation.
Lebanese national Haitham S., 32, took a similar view saying that "Israel never fulfils its promises," thus it was far from possible for the UN to stop the war if it is not planned according "to Israel's strategies and tactics."
Another Lebanese national and visitor Wael A., 24, said: "Israel is losing, they will never accomplish their goals in the region," adding "although I am a Christian maronite, I completely support Hassan Nasrallah and he will bring the country back on its feet."
