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.

[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]

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[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.