The Military Situation: Escalation Beyond Lebanon
Sam Ghattas of AP reported at 5 p.m. (EDT) that Israel increased the level of its attacks against Lebanon with their biggest offensive since the 1982 invasion, imposing a naval blockade, attacking Beirut’s airport twice, and hitting two army bases close to Syria. Israel’s army chief, Brig. Gen. Dan Halutz said “nothing is safe” in Lebanon. All cities and especially Hezbollah offices and residents were targets.
Hezbollah has also kept up its pressure, firing more than 100 rockets into Israel, one of which might have hit the city of Haifa. “The Shiite militant group denied it had rocketed Haifa, where no injuries were reported,” Ghattas reported, but Daniel Ayalon, Israel’s ambassador to the U.S. called the attack “a major, major escalation.”
In a report that has gotten little notice outside of Israel but has the potential to escalate the crisis across the region, The Jerusalem Post and el Haaretz today reported that
“Israel has concrete evidence that Hezbollah plans to transfer the two Israel Defense Forces soldiers abducted Wednesday to Iran," Foreign Ministry spokesman Mark Regev said Thursday.
"We have concrete evidence that Hezbollah plans to transfer the kidnapped soldiers to Iran. As a result, Israel views Hamas, Hezbollah, Syria and Iran as the main players in the axis of terror and hate that endangers not only Israel, but the entire world," AFP quoted Deputy Director General of the Foreign Ministry Gideon Meir as saying.
Forbes reported that Israeli analysts have warned that Syria it could be the next target. Syria supports Hezbollah and plays host to Hamas' political leader Khaled Mashaal. “But that seemed unlikely in the absence of a provocation,” the article said.
While Israel holds Lebanon responsible for the raids, “Hezbollah fighters operate with almost total autonomy in southern Lebanon, and the government has no control over their actions. But Lebanon has long resisted international pressure to disarm the group.”
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Ruvy in Jerusalem
Mark, unfortunately, the point where the analysts "weigh in" is not news. The world wants us killed off and resents if we dare to fight to live. If the Europeans threaten a boycott - not the first time they've done this - they may stifle our guns. Israeli politicians are not big on courage or willingness to really lead and inspire. But the strategic interest in survival is as yet too strong - I hope.
2 - Phillip Winn
This is a fantastic and level-header report. Thanks!
I happen to be in the "let Israel blow up the folks who refuse to acknowledge the right of Israel to exist" camp, so I'm quite happy to see some recognition that Israel didn't provoke this fight, but like most others I'm also worried about whether Israel's actions will cause any long-term progress, given the apparent focus of the surrounding culture on blood feuds.
We had the Hatfields and McCoys, and their story is a reminder to the rest of us in the U.S. that an eye for an eye makes the whole world go blind. it doesn't seem that lesson has sunk in all around the world yet, though, so I wonder if Israel's action -- though justified as far as I'm concerned -- might not lead, yet again, to more response against them.
Sigh.
3 - Phillip Winn
Level-headed, I meant to say. Oops! Should've previewed my comment.
4 - mschannon
Ruvy, what the analysts say becomes news because they create the environment in which people evaluate what's going on there. As for the EU, I may do an opinion piece on what a bunch of small-minded, aging, useless pile of wasted land it is...except I happen to love Europe for vacations.
The world dosn't want you destroyed...just too many people in it. You do have friends.
Phillip, thanks. I agree with you, although I'm trying to be an unbiased reporter. And I'll take lever-headed any day of the week, LOL.
In Jameson Veritas
and to quote a great scholar...and so to bed
5 - Dave Nalle
I'm all for Israel's right to exist, but at the same time they have to some degree legitimized those who are arrayed against them through their draconian policies and treatment of the Palestinians. Hamas, Hezbollah and the other terrorist groups certainly deserve to be suppressed, but the problem for Israel is that in the process of doing that work they bring a lot of harm to innocents, and that keeps feeding the anti-israel sentiment in the arab world and among the sentimental worldwide.
Dave
6 - Ruvy in Jerusalem
Dave,
If you've noticed, I've long advocated a very different kind of solution to the problems of the region - one that cuts out Aramco and cuts in the average Israeli and Arab - one that cuts out the Wahhabi and all of its relatives so that all the Children of Abraham can live in peace. As for oil, it is too precious to be wasted on gasoline or fuel. It has far better uses as plastic, and its use should be restricted as much as possible.
I don't like it that Lebanese are dying in our bombing raids. I don't like it that Arabs in Israel do not have the kinds of economic opportunity they deserve - or most Jews don't either!
But I'm afraid that matters are not only out of the hands of powerless new immigrannts like me - they will also be out of the hands of those who think they wield power as well.
So oil your guns and stock your ammo. Things may get very interesting in the not too distant future.
7 - Dave Nalle
To be bluntly honest, Ruvy, the worse things get in Israel the less chance there is of violence spilling over to the US. So long as Israel is raising itself up as the #1 badguy and we're just their big, dumb friend, we're going to get a lot of blame, but most of the bombs are still going to fall on Israel. If the current conflict escalates it may lead to a true tipping point where the US has to step in to stabilize the region after Israel does the dirty work, putting the US almost in the position of a savior for the arabs of devastated enemy nations. Or Israel could hit back a bit and then cave halfway through getting the job done - the modern standard - leaving everyone pissed off and another war just around the corner.
But nonetheless I'm stocking my guns and oiling my ammo just on principle.
Dave
8 - Andrew
How do I get to Mars? All this makes my head hurt.
9 - Ruvy in Jerusalem
Consider Mark,
IMHO, an Israeli military force has to take the initiative and destroy in entirety the missile pods of HizbAllah in Lebanon, invade the Bekaa Valley and occupy it permanently and warn the Iranians that further attempts to destabilize the Jewish state would be met with NUCLEAR retaliation and there would be NO warning.
Southern Lebanon must be reoccupied up to the Litani River and the PA totally destroyed. The Saudis must be similarly warned that ANY activity to destabilize the Jewish state would be met with NUCLEAR retaliation, and there would be NO warning. NONE.
Middle Easterners do not understand "messages". They only understand actions and words backed with actions. I'm talking to you as a fellow who has learnt this of hard experience.
Consider how this works. You have the set[WAHHABI]. Within this set, you have subsets [Moslem Brotherhood, Hamas, Taliban, Al Qaeda, Saudi regime]. The head of the snake is the Saudi regime in Riyadh, the subset that finances the entire set. So, this must be the object of destruction. Who occupies the oil fields? Irrelevant. There is present in Israel TODAY the technology to make the Arab oilfields worthless.
That is what NEEDS to be done. The cowards in Jerusalem will not do this. They kowtow to the American and European régimes who prefer to deal with Arabs and find the elimination of Jews convenient, for a variety of reasons.
Again, victory is wthin our hands, and again the cowards in on government hill here will just walk away.
10 - Ruvy in Jerusalem
Dave,
Whatever happens here, violence is unlikely to "spill over" to the United States. Let's leave the specific reason for things getting interesting in the States unmentioned for the moment.
Nevertheless, you may be more prescient than you realize.
This: "If the current conflict escalates it may lead to a true tipping point where the US has to step in to stabilize the region after Israel does the dirty work, putting the US almost in the position of a savior for the Arabs of devastated enemy nations. Or Israel could hit back a bit and then cave halfway through getting the job done - " is very close to my scenario for what will wind up happening here.
I have a different spin than you do, but the essential description of events on the ground in my own scenario is much the same. I am convinced that eventually, American troops will be patrolling the streets in J-lem for a time...
11 - Webmaster Mike
The solution screaming out to the world since 9/11 is so simple and un-escapable. All events of any import testify to what it will take to achieven World Peace.... DISARM ISLAM.
Now go back and re-read all the news for the last week ... or last 5 years... with that sniplet of wisdom unblocking your brain cells. GWB knew this on 9/12 and acted accordingly.
12 - troll
just what westerners love to see - Semites fucking each other over...manipulated by Persians no less
as for the Muslim Problem - IMO no final solution is possible until control of Mecca is returned to followers of 'the true faith'
troll
13 - Nancy
My personal mindless, gut response to all this: Ruvy, I hope you guys kick the shit out of Hezbollah, Hamas, Syria, & anyone else who messes with you. I may not like all of Israel's policies, but I utterly respect them for their gutsy refusal to take crap from anybody, including the US. You go, guys!
14 - Webmaster Mike
Get it on Israel and run up the body count of those feveriously trying to get weapons and Jehadis over the Lebenon & Syria border. You have the the Muslim bad actors broadcasting their direct involvement as the world watches.
If need be, pass out weapons to any Israeli Nursing Home and let Grandpa and Granny get into some action too. I've always said the only real mistake GWB ever made was calling off the all out Iraq War machine after 3 weeks listening to Arabs begging for a ceasefire. He should have listened instead to Gen Tommy Franks and fought on killing any Iraqi with a AK-47 for at least 3 more months.
Now it's Muslim on Muslim Civil War there and our Troops should be in secure MAD MAX type fortified encampments ... not doing any police work. Call in the US warriors when need who come in shooting to kill anyone with a weapon. Then they leave back to camp with NO PRISONERS, and let the Iraquis deal with the aftermath. If they don't like the results ... don't call.
Best Islam learns they aren't responsible enough to have weapons. It should be a world crime to even sell a Muslim a weapon. Then we won't have to worry about all these terrorist blood trails leading to some Maoque throughout the world.
15 - mschannon
Dave, the Arabs have left Israel with no choice but full-scale war, although I fear, like Ruvy, that the Israeli government doesn't have the balls for it. Israel withdraws from Gaza...the terrorists see it as weakness and continue to attack. Israel withdraws from Northern Lebanon, Hezbollah takes over and sees it as weakness and attacks.
There are no options for Israel in the long term but to demonstrate without question that it has and will use the power to bomb the Arabs into the stone age until the Arabs themselves control the terrorists.
To an Arab, restrait=cowardice. They only respect strength. Make them pay such a horrible price for their continuing desire to destroy Israel that they'll never consider it again.
In Caffine Veritas
16 - troll
Mark - *To an Arab, restraint=cowardice. They only respect strength.*
IMO it is cunning that is most respected
troll
17 - J
The creation of the state of Israel was a big mistake. The only blame can be placed on the ignorance of the allies after WW2. The reason Israel finds itself under constant attack from Muslim extremists is because the Koran gives them a a religious mandate to expell all foreign relgious bodies out of the pre-established Islamic holy land (Dar'al Islam).
So here we have a self-proclaimed Jewish state smack in the middle of the Islamic holy land. What do you think is going to happen, a slumber party? The simple fact of Israel's existence is the only reason Muslism extremists need to start a fight. They will not stop until Israel is in ruins. 180 million sum Muslims agaist a mere 5 million Jews in Israel... You do the math. Israel only has the support of the United States which is worth nothing anymore since the US is a stagnant blundering beast at the moment.
18 - mschannon
J, you neglect one important fact. The entire Arab world, save Egypt was a creation of the Europeans, most England and France after WWI.
Jordan was actually the home of the Palestinians but they gave it to the Hashemite thugs in payment for their terrorism during WWI.
Saudi Arabia didn't exist but they gave it to the Saud family for the same thing.
Iraq was a collection of warring tribes (thing Iraqi war) thrown together for convenience.
The borders of Syria, Lebananon, and the baby emirates were equally haphazardly drawn. The Arabs were a nomadic, barbaric people with no sense of nation--only tribe. So to talk about the Islamic Holy Land is absurd. None of them thought that way--until Israel came along.
And, by the way, when you're ready to give the U.S. back to the Native Americans, I'll consider suggestions about Israel giving any land back. Conquering land by force is as old as humanity.
In Decaf Veritas.
19 - mschannon
Oh, and Troll, yeah, cunning is good too, but as Ruvy would attest, we ain't got a lot of cunning folk running Israel these days. But we do have lots o' bombs.
In decaf Veritas
20 - nick
May God bless the lebanese people. Our thoughts and prayers are with them.
21 - bobupanddown
It has to be recognised that there is huge animosity towards israel from the arab countries, i do however, find it disgusting that the arabs are labelled as being responsible for ALL escalation. Loss of life on both sides of this conflict is equally bad, but I feel the israeli government could go much further to decreasing tension, in fact I think they are aiming to do the opposite. Every engagement I've seen involves a small terrorist attack, and a massive retaliation from israel that kills many innocents. In fact, israel seems to want conflict as much as possible. I think beofre Israel has the right to demand ANYTHING of the arab nations, especially palestine, it needs to conform to its UN sanctions (of which there are over 60) and leave the occupied territories. Essentialy you have a rich small island (israel) surrounded by a third world situation ( palestine) if israel wants peace, it needs to help palestine regain control of its own area, this is what will eliminate terrorism, when there is no longer public support for it. As long as israel bombs infrastructure and arrests democratically elected leaders from another country, while simultaneously occupying that countries land, the population will feel nothing but hate. what else would you expect?
22 - Nancy
I for one am sick & tired of the various arab factions and their endless excuses for why they hate this & why they attack that; in their minds, it's everyone's fault but theirs, they're always the blameless victims of injustice, etc. etc. ad nauseam - and then they go out & blow up or kidnap & murder/decapitate/mutilate innocent parties, and they just can't understand why the West perceives them as barbarian vermin who aren't worth the slugs to shoot them with.
It's a pity someone hasn't been able to come up with some kind of permanent sterilyzing compound that could be dumped in the water, that would ensure that in a generation or so there would be no more of these scum to perpetuate murder & mayhem around the world. Frankly, I hope this time around Israel just lets fly & flattens once & for all the surrounding terrorist states & mindlessly violent semitic neanderthals that seem to comprise most of their citizenship.
23 - Kwadwo Danso
America stands with Israel No Matter What
24 - Kwadwo Danso
but seriosly though what is an Arab life worth in camparison to an Israelis?? Israel is untouchable in the world and with our ally America vetoeing UN demands against us..we are ready for anything
25 - Jet in Columbus
My opinion is that the day is coming soon when the region runs out of oil, than no none will pay attention to them.
At the rate they're pumping it vs the consumption from China and India, soon they'll be empty handed.
maybe that's why Iran is threatening to hold hout, they want to be the last one "holding" so they can make a financial killing.