Major IDF op underway in Bekaa Valley (Northern Lebanon)

Jerusalem Post ^ | 08/01/06 | JPost staff

[mojito]

Lebanese army and security officials said Tuesday night that a major IDF operation was underway against suspected Hizbullah positions near Baalbeek in eastern Lebanon's Bekaa Valley, with one officer saying the IAF presence in the air above the ancient city was "unprecedented."

The operation began with at least five rapid air strikes.

"The extreme, unprecedented number of aircraft indicates the possibility that the Israelis are planning to land troops, but we cannot yet confirm that," said one security official.

Flares held aloft by parachutes lighted the night sky to a daytime brilliance, the official said.

Hizbullah's al-Manar television said IAF helicopters were taking heavy guerrilla fire but had not landed any commandos.

Israeli helicopters also attacked a target 15 kilometers west of Baalbek, starting a huge fire, witnesses said.

Earlier Tuesday, the IAF struck three Hizbullah bunkers in the western zone of southern Lebanon.

Warplanes also hit Hizbullah fighters battling with soldiers near the border as the guerrillas fired mortars into Israel.

[mojito]

More details on this breaking story. Can anyone say "pincer movement"?

[GeronL]

There is a pretty long thread already about this.. I am sure someone has a link...

is the IDF going after Saddam's WMD?

[fso301]

From Haaretz

[garbageseeker]

Maybe they will find Saddam's hidden chemical weapons that is supposedly there. It is good that they are draining the swamp.

[Perdogg]

Let's hope so.

[My2Cents]

is the IDF going after Saddam's WMD?

The bigger question is, if they find them, will it be reported by ABC/CBS/NBC/MSNBC/NYT/WaPo/Reuters/AP?

[elhombrelibre]

I'm sure they've some strategic targets in mind, and the IDF forces Hezbollah to move to protect and to defend those things the IDF is attacking. Hezbollah cannot face south alone and await its attackers. We may see more razzle dazzle as this goes on. Obviously, the IDF soldiers that far inside Lebanon are on a very risky mission.

[EQAndyBuzz]

Someone mentioned on day one that there will eventually be the hanmmer and the anvil.

I believe the hammer just landed.

[Bigh4u2]

"the IAF presence in the air above the ancient city was "unprecedented."

Would loved to have seen it!

[Hadean]

Report: IAF planes flying over Beirut

Lebanese television station NTV reported that Israeli Air Force planes were circling over Beirut. No air strikes in the area were reported.

Earlier Lebanese security sources said the air force landed troops in Baalbeck in the Bekaa Valley. The IDF has not responded to the report. (Roee Nahmias)

(08.02.06, 00:43) http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3284956,00.html

[GeronL]

Maybe Saddams WMD will secretly become Israeli WMD's??

conspiracy territory now.

[flynmudd]

We can only hope the Israelis find the WMD and blow it up and Syria ceases to exist.

[GeronL]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1675942/posts

older thread but still running

[fso301]

Maybe they will find Saddam's hidden chemical weapons that is supposedly there.

I just can't imagine they'll be there or, ever were there. If reports were correct that the convoys were escorted by Russian Spetnaz, whatever was being transported went to the Mediterranian where it was loaded onto Russian warships.

[Bigh4u2]

"We can only hope the Israelis find the WMD and blow it up and Syria ceases to exist."

Hopefully, not before cataloging it and taking massive pictures.

[ASA Vet]

I am sure someone has a link...

Check keyword 2006ISRAELWAR for almost every related thread.

[GeronL]

The IDF has not responded to the report

why would they?

[GeorgiaDawg32]

"is the IDF going after Saddam's WMD?

The bigger question is, if they find them, will it be reported by ABC/CBS/NBC/MSNBC/NYT/WaPo/Reuters/AP?"

Sure will..here's the headline:

Israeli forces frame Hizbulah with find of planted WMD's

[verity]

Kill everything that moves.

[flynmudd]

I'm sure we'll know, the big smelly cloud and everybody's skin melts off.

[garbageseeker]

  

[Cementjungle]

why would they?

Have they published their exit strategy yet?
</sarc>

[Paul Ross]

With all the confusion being generated, and jihadists rushing to the front to confront their Israeli enemy, we could come in behind them. This would be an ideal moment for U.S. Special Forces to go on targetted raids looking for Iraqi WMD stashes which apparently have been secreted in the Bekaa Valley. They could go in with extreme prejudice, and leave no witnesses.

The only good Hezbollah, is a dead Hezbollah...

[shield]

They will not find the WMD...Syria has already given them to the terrorist throughout the region, it's been reported.

[Hadean]

Thanks. Posting over there now. A spokesperson for Hizbullah said operatives of the terror organization had surrounding IDF troops that landed south of Baalbeck. Ha.

[jazusamo]

Looks like the story that reported 4 IAF helos that were fired on last night while trying to land in the Bekaa Valley might have been right.

SF with laser designators for targets maybe?

[garbageseeker]

I am pretty sure that they will find chemical weapon residue in the bunkers proving that they were there.

[Cyber Liberty]

I think the weapons are there in Bekaa. If Israel is moving on the position, then this will get interesting.

[dennisw]

Hizb'Allah opened a second front. Israels can also play that game. I have to think this will be a lightning strike (2-3 days) that will create chaos, death and mayhem for the Hizb'Allah. Israel will terrorize the terrorists. Hit their high value targets.


Israel also is saying up yours to Syria with this move

[Enterprise]

Here's a link.

[SJackson]

If you'd like to be on this middle east/political ping list, please FR mail me.

High Volume. Articles on Israel can also be found by clicking on the Topic or Keyword Israel.

also Keywords 2006israelwar or WOT [War on Terror]

----------------------------

[sure_fine]

"The bigger question is, if they find them, will it be reported by ABC/CBS/NBC/MSNBC/NYT/WaPo/Reuters/AP?"



none of above, it will be FreeRepublic

[GeronL]

Hopefully the exit strategy is to leave after all the terrorists is dead.

[unseen]

If Syria was going to fight now would be the time. Israel has just moved into its sphere of influence and smacked Syria with a fist. If Syria does not respond to the invasion of the Beeka Vally by the IDF it will NOT get into the fight. Tonight is a test I think....the IDF wants to be sure that it's eastern flank is protected before it makes a major push.

[hosepipe]

Currently Hizballahsters are checking under their beds for IDF troops.. they can be anywhere..

Brilliant MOVE attacking the Bekaa.....
IDF snipers should/could be like scorpions in the dust..

[shield]

You think that's important...residue? Geezzz...I don't..they knew they were there per satellite images...now they're gone. That's bad news. Then we've got at least 4 locations in Iraq that we had intel of WMD's that were never investigated...are they also in the hands of terrorist now? Here read this: http://www.davegaubatz.com/index.html

[garbageseeker]

I do too. It is very difficult to move artillery shells and missile warheads. The reason why I say it is difficult to move that warheads and shells are prone to leaking nerve agent and moving the shell might cause it to explode. Saddams shells and warheads were filled during his war with Iran and very old. in 1991 when the fisr Gulf War ended, the arms inspectors discovered that his shells and warheads were in bad condition and already leaking berve agent. The people moving them must wear wery unconfortable suits and resperators. I know that they are unconfortable because I have worn one. Maybe this is the reason why the Israelis are striking this area to get to those warheads before they are distributed to Hezbollah.

[Labyrinthos]

The bigger question is, if they find them, will it be reported by ABC/CBS/NBC/MSNBC/NYT/WaPo/Reuters/AP...

And President Bush.

[observer5]

All I can say is, bomb these sh*theads until they are no longer.... and then a bit more. That's all the language they understand.

The US could have easily won the Vietnam war if they had simply been allowed to keep bombing the hinterland and support lines.

Back then also everyone was screaming "DIPLOMACY".

If you listen to this, you gonna loose the war.

[elhombrelibre]

I don't think this is a force big enough by itself to block a Syrian incursion. But it is one big enough to bait the Syrians and to show that they're letting Hezbollah fight to the last man.

[garbageseeker]

I do not think that you want to die a painful death from nerve agent getting on your skin. A drop of nerve agent will kill you. That is besides the point. The point is that nerve agent is somewhere and you may be right.

[unseen]

Israel also is saying up yours to Syria with this move


yeap...Israel is trying to make Syria choose. A small enough force to quickly get out if needed but a large enough force to secure it's flank and to tempt Syria into open conflict. Talk about the ripe fruit hanging from the tree. This is the first time that a Israel movement has been reported in depth while the operation is ongoing. Do you think Israel is trying to tempt Syria? I do.......

[unseen]

see post #42 I think the same thing is going on

[blam]

"Someone mentioned on day one that there will eventually be the hanmmer and the anvil."

I was one of many who said that. Albeit, the 'hammer' landed further north than I expected.

[CGVet58]

bttt

[unseen]

After the Qana staged event...do you think these people will not set off their own WMD on their own people and blame the IDF...and the MSM will happily report that the IDF is the guilty party.

[elhombrelibre]

Agreed, and putting a small force there shows total contempt for Syria or supreme confidence in the air force's ability to protect them. This is a dangerous operation.

[dennisw]

Do you think Israel is trying to tempt Syria? I do.......
_____________________

Sure but primary target is Hizb'Allah in Baalbek. Don't know hat Hizb'Allah has there but IDF must believe there's a lot worth destroying. Hit the Hizb'Allah guerrillas and assets where they are not dug in and hardened.

[FreeRep]

The power of IAF is terrific.

[sionnsar]

The US could have easily won the Vietnam war if they had simply been allowed to keep bombing the hinterland and support lines.
Back then also everyone was screaming "DIPLOMACY".

Not everybody.

If you listen to this, you gonna lose the war.

Yup.