Posted on 01/19/2005 2:25:32 PM PST by anotherview
Last Update: 20/01/2005 00:00
Ministers give approval, in principle, to army operation in Lebanon
By Aluf Benn and Amos Harel, Haaretz Correspondents
The political-security cabinet, meeting Wednesday for the first time with its new Labor party members, approved in principle a military operation in Lebanon. The decision was made in response to three incidents in recent weeks, including one in which Hezbollah detonated explosive devices in the Har Dov region, killing an Israel Defense Force officer.
"[Hezbollah] by its actions is trying to torpedo any progress between Israel and Abu Mazen (Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas)," Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz said at the meeting.
"Hezbollah, Syria, and Iran are doing everything to thwart any progress," he said.
Cabinet members were presented with possible targets for an operation, and it was decided that the inner cabinet - comprised of Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, Deputy PM Ehud Olmert, Vice Premier Shimon Peres, Mofaz, and Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom - will be authorized to order an operation.
Captain Sharon Elmakayis, deputy company commander in the Golani brigade, was killed in an explosion on Har Dov on January 9. A French United Nations soldier was also killed in the incident. On Monday, an explosive device detonated near an IDF bulldozer as troops from the engineering corps were searching for explosives. No injuries were reported in the incident, but a great deal of damage was caused. Last Friday, an explosive device detonated, apparently set off by an animal in the area.
IDF sources believe that the recent Hezbollah attacks are a response to internal Palestinian Authority procedures, and to declarations made by PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas against violence.
To date, Israel's responses have been limited to artillery and aerial attacks on Hezbollah headquarters and targets in southern Lebanon. The IDF recently warned the Syrian and Lebanese governments that if they do not restrain Hezbollah, Israel would respond against them.
If I had a dollar for every threatened Israeli action that did not materialize I could retire tomorrow.
Sadly I agree with you. It's one thing to send a message. That's fine, but only if you are prepared to back it up.
pinging the pingers
"The IDF recently warned the Syrian and Lebanese governments that if they do not restrain Hezbollah, Israel would respond against them."
The Lebanese "government" is a familiar of the Syrian regime, and the response will be the same -- no response. Israel's best bet will be to hit every available Syrian target in Lebanon, and watch to see if Lebanon stands up for itself against Syria. Hezbollah could best be rooted out by encirclement and annihilation, good old fashioned 20th century ground combat.
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