War on Lebanon at first hand

Israel caused at least $15 billion (£7.5bn) worth of destruction to this fragile country's infrastructure and killed over 1,300 civilians in an orgy of war crimes and breaches of international law.

The Israelis used phosphorous bombs and US-manufactured cluster bombs, both of which are illegal under the Geneva Conventions. In unprecedented acts of collective punishment, they killed children, women and civilians.

Over 30 writers, academics, economists and political analysts, including Jews, have contributed to this book, which includes first-person reports from people caught up in the war.

We get the historic perspective on this buffer zone between Israel and the Arab states and its sectarian system of government and, of course, Hezbollah, the Lebanese guerilla militia-turned-political party that emerged after Israel's 1982 invasion of Lebanon.

Hezbollah, terrorists in the eyes of the US, had not committed an act of terrorism since 1996. Instead, it had concentrated on electoral campaigns and establishing social service networks.

Israeli and US state terrorism is fine. But Hezbollah is a non-state militia committed to ending Israel's occupation, so, it must be smashed.

Stephen Zunes considers the US role in Israel's decision to go to war, ensuring its continuation despite worldwide condemnation - apart from Britain, naturally. Zunes believes that Bush had been plotting to get Israel to attack Lebanon for some years. Hezbollah's abduction of two Israeli soldiers was the perfect pretext.

The massive, disproportionate retaliation was intended to turn the Lebanese people against Hezbollah. Instead, the people turned to Hezbollah with no little pride in the tiny guerilla army's ability to kick Israel's massive US-backed forces out of southern Lebanon.

When, finally, the UN security council demanded a ceasefire, the US ensured that the resulting resolution 1701 was heavily loaded in favour of Israel.

Even as the final touches were put to the resolution, Israel, with US approval, stepped up its bombing, drenching southern Lebanon with cluster bombs.

When a UN member state can launch a full-scale attack on the civilian infrastructure of a neighbouring state, it is indicative of a breakdown of international law.

Whether Lebanon will be able to avoid drifting into another civil war remains to be seen. Whatever happens, this book is vital to our understanding of the troubles of the Middle East.

GWYN GRIFFITHS