U.S. Defends Resolution to Halt Battle Between Israel, Hezbollah

The White House defended a United Nations measure meant to halt the 26-day battle between Israel and Hezbollah, despite criticism by Lebanese officials that the proposal was too favorable to Israel and wouldn't ensure an end to the fighting.

Debate over the measure came as the fighting between the two sides intensified, further highlighting how difficult the diplomatic path will be. Hezbollah fired its most lethal rocket barrage so far into Israel, killing at least 15 people.

See continuing coverage of developments in the Middle East conflict, including a news tracker with the latest updates on the crisis, an interactive map of major strikes and a photo gallery. • Read the text of the draft U.N. resolution for a cease-fire.

Hezbollah rockets struck Haifa, Israel, killing at least three people and wounding more than 30, in the heaviest attack on the port city since fighting began. A spokesman for the Haifa fire department said one residential district suffered five or six hits and there were many casualties.

Meanwhile, Israeli artillery and fighter jets continued to pound southern Beirut and much of the country's south, killing at least 14 people.

The draft U.N. resolution, which the U.S. and France crafted over the weekend, calls for a "cessation of hostilities" on both sides but doesn't demand that Israeli forces pull out of southern Lebanon. It leaves the details for a lasting cease-fire, including the introduction of an international peacekeeping force, for another round of U.N. diplomacy. The Security Council is expected to vote on the first measure as early as today. The White House said Mr. Bush will make remarks on the situation in the Mideast this morning. (Read the resolution.)

The tap-dance continues. It remains the hope of many that Israel will do what is good for Israel, and not what is good for a bunch of useless politicians who have, for many decades, not cared about the killing of Jews in Israel, but more about their own politics, much of which is not in support of Israel's security or its right to exist. Even though the politically-driven State Department will not acknowledge publically how critical the future of Israel is to the United States, it must stand behind only resolutions that give Israel the latitude to continue presecuting a war against Hezzbollah until they have been routed and killed from the south of Lebanon. Get out the popcorn.

So what is the end game in Lebanon for Israel? All very well to be macho and bellicose and thump our chests HERE. They have to have to live there. So what is the solution for Israel other then doing this every couple of year?

See unlike the Freeper Patton's, the Israeli Leadership, along with President Bush, is trying to find a permanent SOLUTION here , not a ego feeding headline grabbing drama queen military blitzkrieg

Well said...Israel is doing what the US should have been doing....Even now we allow Syria and Iran to kill our troops in Iraq while we do nothing. Syria needs to be slapped down first then Iran. The longer we do the State Department/UN thing the bigger the nuclear war will be in the middle east. We cannot talk the Iranian people into running head long into automatic weapons in order to get their country back. It is not going to happen. The military solution is the only one the nutcases in Tehran will understand.

All very well to be macho and bellicose and thump our chests HERE. They have to have to live there. So what is the solution for Israel other then doing this every couple of year?
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Lebanon needs to be "fixed". It has a government that is more concerned about its fears of Iran and Syria than it is about itself and its democracy to the south. Until Hezzbollah is routed from within missle range of Israel, will this situation even begin to become "stable" -- if such a word can even apply to Israel surrounded by genocidal Islamofascists dedicated only to the death of all Jews and Americans. A large buffer zone, manned by a LEGITIMATE international force to keep Hezzbollah out along with disallowing the rearming of Hezzbollah by Syria and Iran, is key to any solution other than war.

The military solution is the only one the nutcases in Tehran will understand.
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True -- but we are still dominated by POLITICIANS worried more about their empowerment than they are about the REAL war on terror.

I think you are right. "Lebanon needs to be "fixed". It has a government that is more concerned about its fears of Iran and Syria than it is about itself and its democracy to the south."

I would add that most liberty movements follow extraordinary leaders. Small populations are less likely to produce that kind of talent. The best solution would be for a federation that aligns Palestinians and Lebanese with the solid working political system of Israel. It will never happen, but Israel could and would help these peoples, if they would drop their guns.

Until Hezzbollah is routed from within missle range of Israel,

Can't be done. Current missiles in the world wide arsenals such as Iran not to mention Countries like Russia, China, and etc, are available to any Country or terrorist with the means to purchase. The world just got to darn small. Israel has been racked with suicidal terrorist for many years, and this type of destruction makes the current missiles Hezbollah is using like child play. Just think what one terrorist with a suitcase nuke could do. Scary.

Can't be done.
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Basically, yes, but that assumes nothing is done about Iran and Syria's ability to broker rockets to Hezzbollah. The freakin' free world had better wake up soon -- or those 'briefcase nukes' or dirty-bombs will be reality, and Iran is pivotal point.

Basically, yes, but that assumes nothing is done about Iran and Syria's ability to broker rockets to Hezzbollah. The freakin' free world had better wake up soon -- or those 'briefcase nukes' or dirty-bombs will be reality, and Iran is pivotal point.

Right. And we are assuming that the current skirmish remains between Lebanon and Israel. If it accelerates, who knows. Iran and Syria have missiles that can easily reach Israel. The only thing holding Iran or Syria, or both, from launching is the fear that Israel might launch nukes. Iran does have a very good anti missile defense now thanks to Russia. The purchase of Rockets from China will probably continue, and they, Iran, is currently working with NK on delivery systems. (The current asumption is NK systems are not that good. Yup, so was Nazi Germany's buzz bombs supposed be ineffective) Here is the rub. Iran and Hezbollah are one and the same.

Yup, we got problems all right. Israel is trying to get the ball rolling, but thanks to this UN and this cease fire is the stupidest thing we and France has been involved in is beyond belief. I can understand France's part but the US? Lebanon must be cleaned out, totally. And that would be a very small start.

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