E Pluribus Unum

(Full disclosure: three generations of my family settled in Lebanon; I was born in Beirut during that time. I've also lived and worked there. I've spent time in the coastal cities and also in the mountains and valleys near the Syrian border. So it's fair to say that I have some interest in what's happening now.)

Summary of reaction from Lebanese bloggers:

• Lebanon Profile at the Lebanese Political Journal:

  Hezbollah was surprised by Israel's response...Even more surprising for Hezbollah was the Sunni response...According to three Sunni shop owners in Beirut from Saida, they and their families are more upset with Hezbollah than they are with Israel.

• Zadigvoltaire at Beirut Notes:

  Hezbollah has metamorphosed from a resistance force to Israel to a resistance force to Lebanon's development and progress.

• Jamal at Jamal's Propaganda Site:

  Olmert can choose to annihilate Hezbollah completely. That would involve a major regional war that I don't think Israel is ready for or that the world community would allow.

• V at Vox's Den:

  Hezbollahis are hiding in caves, behind and under the civilians they claim to protect, and this is why the Israelis are bombing ordinary people, bridges and airport runways instead of these monkeys.

• Mustapha at The Beirut Spring:

  The blockade has one clear purpose: To make life miserable for the Lebanese in order to exert pressure on Hezbollah. … Will the plan work? No it won't. Israel constantly underestimates the bonds common misery can create.

• Yasmine at Lebanese Bloggers:

  I am not a pawn on the board of an imaginary game, and neither are the rest of the Lebanese, Palestinian and Israeli civilians whose lives are being toyed with.