What you need to know about the war in the Middle East.

A conversation with a well-informed friend last night convinced me that what is happening in the Middle East right now is very important and will probably have far-reaching consequences regardless of how it unfolds, for Americans and Papists alike.

Anyway, I'm going to try to overview the situation in simple terms below. This information is the fruit of only a few sessions of dedicated research - so I'd be happy to have it updated and/or corrected by those who do know the situation better. Consider this a primer for the uninformed and a collection of links for those who want to become more informed.

The players (links go to wikipedia pages):

• Israel: Aggrevated by an abduction of two of its soldiers, and the deaths of eight more in a recent raid, Israel is currently fighting a two-front war: moving into the Gaza strip region to the south, and attacking Hezbollah to the north (in south Lebanon), where they are primarily destroying the highways used by Hezbollah to transport missiles to areas where they are in range of targets in Israel.
• Hezbollah (alt. Hizbollah): Literally "Party of God" in Arabic, this militant Lebanese Islamic group wants the establishment of an Islamic state in Lebanon, and is considered a terrorist organization by the United States. Hezbollah has very close ties with Iran and Syria. Hezbollah has sponsored the killing of civilizians in Israel and has declared "Open War" on Israel. Hezbollah has bases of operations in the south of Lebanon.
• Lebanon: Borders Israel to the south, and Syria to the north and east. The Lebanese Civil War lasted from 1975-1990, and Lebanon has had troops from Syria within its boarders up to the last year. The Lebanese government has so-far seemed unwilling/unable to aid Israel in uprooting Hezbollah strongholds in the south of its country, perhaps fearing civil war in addition to the current one it is in. Israel holds all Lebanon responsible for Hezbollah's actions and has not ruled out the possibility of sending in ground forces.
• Hamas: the democratically-elected government of the Palestine area is also a terrorist organization which abducted an Israeli soldier near Gaza - provoking Israel to invade the Gaza strip to the south.

The ultimatum: "A report in Al-Hayat on 15 July mentioned rumours in Washington, D.C. of an Israeli ultimatum to Syria to stop Hezbollah's activity along Israeli border, and force the release of the two abducted Israeli soldiers in 72 hours, or it would face serious consequences. Al-Hayat's source refused to confirm or deny the rumours." [source]

One of the greatest dangers to this conflict is that it may soon directly involve Iran and Syria, both of which are openly against Israel and for Hezbollah. It is all but certain that Iran is supporting Hezbollah through Syria.

The boat attack: "On 14 July, the Israeli Sa'ar 5-class missile boat INS Hanit that was blockading the waters, 10 nautical miles off of the Lebanese coast was severely damaged in the stern after being hit by a Chinese-made C-802 land-to-ship missile ... Israel immediately recovered one sailor's body, and three more were found Sunday." [source]

While the C-802 is chinese made, Iran is the only country that owns them in the Middle East apparently, so the accusation is being made that Hezbollah is being supported by at least some Iran weapons and technology, if not troops and intelligence as well.

A Map to figure out how it all fits is here. Note the Gaza Strip to the south in green, the Israeli city of Haifia to the north on the sea (the main city being attacked by Hezbollah), the southern tip of Lebanon (the capitol, Beirut is to the north), and finally note the proximity of Syria and Egypt to the hostilities.

The Vatican's response: Most recently, Pope benedict "expressed grave concern over the intensified fighting in Israel and Lebanon." Also, "Benedict said on Sunday he was deeply concerned about violence in Lebanon ... But he also cited the Hizbollah guerrillas' attack on Sunday on the Israeli city of Haifa, which killed eight people."

CNS has more. So does Catholic Online. Cardinal Sodano has made some comments on the situation, which Dom has analyzed here. In essence - no real suprises in Sodano's approach, just more pleas for peace.

Currently: "U.S. security teams landed at the American embassy just outside Beirut on Sunday to plan the evacuation of some of the estimated 25,000 U.S. citizens living in war-torn Lebanon." [source] Latest CNN headlines: Israel hits back after Haifa attack: New explosions seen around Beirut, Civilians reported killed in strike on city of Tyre, Eight Canadian citizens killed in Israeli strikes, Hezbollah rocket kills 8 in Haifa train depot.

Casualties (great majority civilians): Lebanon: 102 killed, 262 wounded. Israel: 24 killed, 500+ wounded.

The Future: This wikipedia article is a good place to get an overview of the situation and how it might develop.

And finally, let us all pray to Our Lady Queen of Peace in these dangerous times.

Update: Against the Grain has a roundup of more news links.

(Note: Permalinks are acting up today, so here is the permalink of this post for those who want it.)