This is not a blow by blow, but a summary of the information I’ve seen and heard. The situation is still critical and IMHO Israel still has the green light to continue for an indefinite period.
Iran threatens to attack US interests world-wide Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Tuesday promised a "rejoicing" for Muslims in the Middle East "soon," the Islamic Republic News Agency reported.
Overnight Action
RUMINT The pro-Israel Lebanese Foundation for Peace published an unsubstantiated report Tuesday stating that Hizbullah terrorists smuggled two kidnapped IDF soldiers from southern Lebanon to the Iranian embassy in Beirut. If true, this would spell greater trouble for Iran in defending itself and its nuclear program.
No other significant changes. Attacks and counter attacks continue at the tempo of the past couple of days. Haifa continues to remain in Hezbollah’s sights while shorter range rocket attacks expand into the southern Golan Heights area. It is estimated that Hizbollah has fired about 1500 rockets the past five days. Israel estimates it has reduced Hizbollah’s capabilities by about 40%
Most diplomats from major countries indicate that it is too soon to begin negotiations for any peace settlements. Israel has offered a cease fire if their soldiers are returned and Hizbollah withdraws from Lebanon.
Foreign evacuations are currently underway as lift assets arrive. However, this is a huge task with 25,000 Americans ALONE to be taken out if necessary. So far Israel hasn’t stopped the effort and Hezbollah has kept their hands off foreigners. Syria has refused to allow American refugees to cross its border.
Ground Assault Preparations
Three reserves battalions – infantry, engineers, and artillery – will be drafted in upcoming days and will replace regular forces in Judea and Samaria. This is in order to allow the regular forces to tale part in IDF operations in the north. Reportedly a one half kilometer wide zone along the Lebanese border has been leveled by Israeli in preparation for the ground assault.
A LONG-RANGE Iranian-made missile capable of reaching Israel's leading city, Tel Aviv, launched skyward from a bombed truck convoy east of Beirut before crashing to earth, Lebanese military officials have confirmed. After initially suspecting the spiralling fireball was a downed Israeli warplane, officials now believe it was evidence of the most serious threat to Israel's main cities yet to emerge in the week-long conflict.
Arab world fed up with Hizbullah
With the exception of the Palestinians, the Arab world appears to be united in blaming Iran and Syria for the fighting in Lebanon. The anti-Hizbullah coalition, which appears to be growing with every Israeli missile that drops on the heads of Hizbullah leaders and headquarters, is spearheaded by Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Jordan. These three countries, together with many Arab commentators and political analysts, are convinced that the leaders of Teheran and Damascus are using Hizbullah to divert attention from Iran's nuclear program and Syria's involvement in the assassination of former Lebanese prime minister Rafik Hariri.
THANK YOU Godzilla for that summary.
ON THE NET...
http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/lebanon_update.html
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Note: The following text is a quote:
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http://www.defenselink.mil/news/Jul2006/20060718_5680.html
Sea, Air Evacuations Proceed from Lebanon
By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, July 18, 2006 – A contracted ship has docked in Lebanon to evacuate U.S. citizens caught in the fighting there, and U.S. officials have ordered the expeditionary strike group based around the USS Iwo Jima to assist in the effort, DoD officials said here today.
DoD contracted a Greek ocean liner, the Orient Queen, to evacuate American citizens from Beirut, and that vessel has docked, a senior DoD official told reporters.
The liner can hold up to 750 people for the five-hour voyage to Cyprus, an island nation in the western Mediterranean. In addition, six CH-53 helicopters -- three from the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit and three from U.S. forces based in the United Kingdom -- are evacuating Americans citizens from the American embassy compound in Beirut. The air evacuation is aimed at citizens with special needs. The helicopters deliver the refugees to Cyprus. DoD is building to a capacity of 300 people evacuated by air per day. "We will increase that number if needed," the official said.
The destroyer USS Gonzalez is providing security for the Orient Queen, officials said.
The official said DoD is finalizing contracts with up to four other vessels with capacities ranging from 200 to 300 people to over 1,000.
State and defense officials did not specify the number of Americans that U.S. forces would evacuate from Lebanon, saying they will evacuate however many Americans want to leave the country. There are around 25,000 American citizens in Lebanon, but not all will want to leave the country, an official said. "It could be 5,000 (who want to leave); it could be 10,000," a State Department spokesman said. If fighting intensifies between Israel and Hezbollah, more Americans may wish to escape the battle, officials said.
The headquarters of Task Force 59, commanded by Marine Brig. Gen. Carl Jensen, is directing the evacuation operation from Cyprus. The Iwo Jima group, which includes the Iwo Jima, the USS Nashville, the USS Whidbey Island, the USS Trenton, and the High Speed Vessel Swift, will arrive off Lebanon later this week.
The contracted carriers and the U.S. Navy ships will have more than enough capacity to evacuate anyone who wishes to leave, the senior Defense official said.
They aren't the only ones fed up with Hizbullah! Thanks for the summation.