By MANAL OMAR

Disbelief. It was the one word I heard over and over once I finally reached Beirut. Whether it was from individuals or non-governmental organizations, the description was of complete astonishment at the bombardment of a country that was finally transitioning out of war. It was not horror or fear, but an overwhelming sense of disbelief that within 34 days, Lebanon had faced so much death and destruction as the world stood by. The main victims were women and children as a political and psychological war was being waged at the expense of such a fragile country.

Most Lebanese could not comprehend that civil society had been transitioning into creating a solid national agenda, but overnight, the process was pushed back to the very beginning.

Driving in from the northern border of, I could not comprehend the level of destruction. Road barriers in front of demolished bridges directed anyone who dared to enter Lebanon to alternative routes, a reminder that in this conflict, any area was considered fair game. A two-hour drive into Beirut took me seven hours instead.

Lebanon is not new to war. Although this was its sixth conflict with Israel, many people hastily pointed out why this war was so drastically different. The destruction to infrastructure and livelihood was absolute. The targeting of civilians seemed to be globally accepted. A neutral voice was absent. Any diplomatic end to the conflict seemed to be a far off dream. The destruction appeared endless. The disproportionate use of force by Israel against Lebanon had not created an international outcry, but instead instigated a discussion about the need to create a “new Middle East.”