In March this year I visited Lebanon with a delegation from CYTUN (the Christian churches in Wales). With the word Beirut conjuring images of war and destruction I was pleasantly surprised by this beautiful country, only half the size of Wales. In spite of its troubled history it had developed a stable economy, tourism industry and most importantly close cooperating and understanding between the Muslim and Christian populations.

I dread to think how this situation has now been turned on its head and have been trying to contact friends there over the past week, with little success.

Estimates of the reconstruction costs are already running into billions of pounds. And no wonder with all major roads, ports and airports destroyed; various factories and warehouses hit, including an essential milk plant; numerous energy plants destroyed, leaving electricity in Beirut said to be "feeble and flickering", and totally cut off for 6 hours a day and electricity almost completely cut in the south and two hospitals destroyed by Israeli bombs.

And the humanitarian situation is getting desperate. The Lebanese government has been trying to organise humanitarian corridors to bring in fresh food, water and medical supplies. In one attack on Monday, Israeli missiles hit a convoy destroying seven vehicles. The Red Crescent Society and journalists present report that the trucks contained medical supplies, ambulances, sugar and rice.

Lebanon was expecting more than 1.2 million tourists this summer, providing an income of around £1.5bn. The only hotel spaces taken up in Beirut now are by Lebanese families fleeing the Israeli onslaught in the south and foreigners awaiting evacuation.

The reaction of the international community has been shameful. Even Israel has been surprised by the lack of condemnation of their actions. So far only President Putin and Kofi Annan have even dared to accuse Israel of using excessive force! While over 300 Lebanese civilians have died, 600 injured and 500,000 had to flee their homes. Deaths in Gaza continue, nearly unnoticed with four killed by an Israeli tank shell just this morning.

Of course, it is difficult for Blair & Bush to condemn illegal acts of war considering their ongoing illegal invasion and occupation of Iraq.

The Israeli actions have not just been 'disproportionate' or 'excessive'. They are getting away with murder. They are targeting innocent civilians and using the actions of a few in Hizbullah and Hamas as an excuse to punish the whole populations of Lebanon and Gaza. These are crimes against humanity. And the world is standing by.

The Israeli defence minister Amir Peretz has even said "We have no intention of conquering Lebanon but... we will do it without thinking twice." and that they are ready for a ground attack and there has been next to no condemnation of them.

We must take firm action to end this dangerous escalation of violence that threatens the entire region. Countless international laws are being broken but the UK and US are stopping criticism let alone action by the EU and UN. We must stand up for the innocent lives being lost and show our support for the people of Palestine and Lebanon in protests and vigils such as this. International intervention is needed to stop this madness and if our governments won't react we must make them listen.