The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, which had entered into the 12th day on Sunday, has cost approximately 300 civilian casualties.

Meanwhile, Israel stepped up the deployment of its forces along the Israel-Lebanon border and its tanks rolled into the northern frontiers. On July 21, Lebanese President Emile Lahoud made it clear that the Lebanese government forces will entered into the war if the Israeli forces attacks his country. There seems to be every indication that the conflict will possibly be extended, and may people worry that it will be turned into an all-round confrontation and even a war.

Israel wants precisely to thwart with its heavy strikes the intention of Hezbollah to coordinate Hamas and come to the aid of Syria and Iran by coordinated actions, and its consideration has won the support of the United States, which also likes Israel to deal effective blows at Hezbollah.

"Washington Post" said President George W. Bush feels that the Lebanon-Israel conflict has enabled people to be aware of Israel's tremendous role in the war on terror and the capacity of this reliable regional ally to maximally wipe out the Hezbollah forces while sounding alarms to Syria and Iran which are tied in a thousand and one ways with Hezbollah.

The U.S. has looked on with folded arms and sided with Israel in its conflict with Lebanon. Last week, it delivered to Israel 100 highly-destructive, penetrating Guided Bomb Units (GBU) the Israeli armed forces had order last year, each weighing 5,000 ponds, which are able to pierce through 30 meters deep underground and six meters into reinforced concrete.

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has prepared to tour the Middle East this week. Her aim of her trip is not for "ceasefire" but to seeking for long-term peace, she openly acknowledged. However, a possibility for an all-round war is limited and there are numerous reasons involved.

First, The overall regional and international political climate does not permit the Middle-East war to be rekindled. Major General Hassan Firouzabadi, Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, said on July 22 that assaults by the U.S. and Israel constitute part of the United States' greater Middle East plan, and Iran will continue to render its political and diplomatic support to Lebanon. Meanwhile, the international community is in opposition to the escalation of the conflict. Even Britain warns Israel and appealed to it to exercise restraint.

Secondly, the United States, which has a decisive say in the regional situation, too, does not allow the regional situation to be out of control and, if Israeli action turns as disproportionate, Iran and Syria will intervene. Then, the U.S. will have to restrict Israeli action properly and at the appropriately time.

Moreover, the war does not comply with interests of the conflicting parties. In case of Israel, it has so far spent more than 10 million US dollars daily on its operation in northern Israel and its citizens can hardly bear such high military spending. And many Lebanese are longing for a better life in a hope of having more tourists to visit their land .

As a matter of fact, Israel is currently carrying on negotiations with Hezbollah on the three terms it has set forth with the help of Germany.

Editor: Yan