Thousands of Filipino OFWs and their dependents will be the casualty of the war raging in Lebanon today. Either they drop dead there or they lose their jobs. Which of the two deprives life of men (more) is a matter of opinion.

The Israeli bombs exploding in Lebanon today confirms the theory that the powder keg of worldwide conflict will be the Middle East. The prediction that the "Clash of Civilizations" between Muslims and Christians will lead to the fateful Armageddon Final War along the Euphrates River is coming into fruition?

There is the Al Quaeda faction plotting terrorism on the hills of Afghanistan. There is Iran destabilizing the region by supporting the militant Hizbollah in southern Lebanon by firing rockets at the Israeli cities and kidnapping two Israeli soldiers (as they did days ago). There is a potential civil war in Iraq, refusing to acknowledge the defeat of Saddam Hussein and to adopt a western style of democracy. Democratic elections in other Arab states only led to the election of militant Muslims who foment anti-West, anti-USA sentiments.

Israel, home of the "Chosen People" Jews still defend its small strip of territory they call her own with one of the most powerful military force in the world. The United States uses the Israel nation as her proxy in the battle against hostile Arabs in a region that hosts the largest supply of oil in the whole world.

Israel is bombing Lebanon and Beirut to exterminate the 3,000 strong Hizbollah and calls the Lebanese Army of 72,000 to implement the United Nations' Resolution No. 1559 ordering the latter to disarm the radical dissident group. Israeli planes dropped leaflets encouraging people to leave Beirut so that the Hizbollah will be isolated and then crushed without civilian casualty.

This has not happened with about 500 dead in Lebanon including 54 hapless civilians (36 children) pulverized by debris of a building bombed to smithereens by the Israelis Sunday. The Pope has called for a ceasefire. But the Israelis will only entertain that if the Hizbollah is permanently, irreversibly neutralized.

That looks like more bloody war ahead. Israel mirrors her patroness the USA in dealing with Arabs - "hard-line, uncompromising and militant." Only a blitzkrieg attack - relentless and merciless - of the shock and awe variety will be understood by the militant Arabs, Tel Aviv argues. The Jews will exact their pound of flesh - an eye for an eye and a tooth for a face - as if we all don't know that from history.

Israel decries the world's hypocrisy in that it continues to condemn the terrorists responsible for 9-11 bombing in New York yet condemns Israel when she returns fire against the same type of terrorists who almost weekly subject Israel to bomb attacks against her own unarmed civilians. The recent kidnapping of two Israel soldiers was just the last straw - thus the bombs in Lebanon.

Of course, the world will not benefit from such conflict. If the Arab nations take positions in the conflict, the main artery of world energy supply will be in serious jeopardy. Can the world afford another round of oil price increase? Can the country?

The Israel foreign minister sorrowfully asked on CNN and BBC for forgiveness for the civilian casualties - but they appear inevitable collateral damage in Israel's vicious retaliation versus the Hizbollah. The Hamas did a similar incident in the past and Israel punctured Gaza with guided missiles and rockets - defining its military response as consistent as it is devastating. The Israel nation feels the Syrian controlled Lebanese government is not interested in limiting the activities of the violent Hizbollah which further raises the hackles even more of the Tel Aviv warriors.

The Jews have been the most vilified race in the whole world - not just during World War II when Hitler killed a million Jews and fomented anti-Semitism sentiments worldwide. Often called the "Wandering Race" - the Israeli Jews realized that there are Arab nations surrounding their tiny country in the Middle East who only understand the language of guns, bullets and bombs.

Thus for her own survival - and with the full military logistics, intelligence and moral support of Washington - Israel will not be bullied by any antagonistic neighborhood thug by arming herself to the teeth.

Biblical history often tells of the root of conflict in the Arab world today. Abraham could not sire a child from wife Sarah for many years and had to begot one son named Ishmael by their maid called Hagar. Jealousy caused Sarah to banish both Hagar and Ishmael even as her lack of faith made her doubt the Lord's promise that she herself will bear a child.

Sarah begot child named Isaac, thereafter. Accordingly, the descendants of Ishmael are the Arab nations (mostly Muslim) and that of Isaac are the Jews. The enmity between the two race took roots hundreds of years ago. Who will banish whom from what territory is what the Middle East conflagration has been all about.

It will not be resolved by a pacification drive of the United Nations and the whip of public opinion. The conflict will take on various forms and intensity.

The bombs exploding in Lebanon are just a preview. Or is it the beginning of the end.
Israel has just declared a ceasefire. But how long will that last?