|PIC1|The Secretary of the Congregational Federation in Wales has spoken out against the Israeli attacks on Lebanon as the death toll continues to rise.

The Rev Christopher Gillham condemned almost three weeks of bombings and air strikes on Lebanon by Israel forces.

"It is naked aggression against a small and defenceless country," he said.

Lebanese Health Minister Mohammad Khalifeh said Thursday that up to 600 people had been killed in the conflict, with an estimated third of them still buried beneath rubble as further attacks prevent rescuer workers from retrieving the bodies. According to Reuters, at least 445 people, mostly civilians, had been confirmed killed in Lebanon.

Meanwhile, Reuters reported that fifty-one Israelis had been killed, including 18 civilians.

|TOP|Gillham, who led a Welsh church delegation on a trip to Lebanon in March, said people were terrified and face the possible loss of their homes and livelihoods as the Lebanese tourist industry is crippled by the fighting.

The Congregationalist urged Christians to be prepared to send aid as families and individuals without income face the struggle of gathering essential items like food and medication. He also urged prayer for Lebanon and Christians in the country as well as for wisdom for world leaders.

The Council for World Mission called for a ceasefire by all parties concerned, as well as for the protection of civilians and more effective international intervention to find a long-term solution to the crisis.

“We offer our prayerful solidarity to all who have been afflicted and affected by the events which even now adds to the disruption, distress and trauma of human beings created in the image of God,” said Rev Dr Des van der Water, head of the CWM, in a statement on the crisis.

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert’s security cabinet decided against expanding its ground offensive against Hezbollah guerrillas but announced that another 15,000 reserve soldiers would be called up to join the campaign.

Meanwhile diplomatic divisions appeared to widen over how to bring the conflict to an end, as US President George W. Bush said Thursday that he wanted an end to the conflict as soon as possible but said he did not want a “fake peace” that would only delay future outbreaks of fighting.