The week-long fighting in Qusair intensified early on Saturday, when activists reported heavy bombardments, including two ground-to-ground missiles and an air strike as well as artillery and rocket fire.
American and Italian soldiers were helping to build and run tent cities for the refugees, even as Apache attack helicopters, multiple rocket-launchers and sophisticated ground-to-air missiles were on their way for possible use against Yugoslavia.
For others, the issue has been whether Israel's now combined air-, sea- and ground-assault was "proportionate" to the rocket and mortar attacks it has suffered.