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]

http://cns.miis.edu/research/wmdme/syrscud.htm
More links

[unseen]

I agree somewhat but if the Koran did not contain the means for the Mullahs to use then I would agree totally. Islam was started by Mohammad in about 600 A.D at that time all of the middle east was christian and jewish. The islam religion was born and carried by the sword. Those that did not submit were executed or enslaved or taxed. This invasion or holy war or jihad was not stopped until the battle of Tours in 732 AD. So the first 130 years of Islam was one of conquest blood and death. It was not until 1492 that Spain was taken back into the Christian fold About 400 years after the conquest of the Holy Land by the Muslims that the Pope rose himself from his Vatican throne and issued a decree for a crusade to retake the Holy Land. Yet Islam did not stop there they invaded and enslaved North Africa, large parts of India, Central asia and Spain. It was only when Islam came into the seat of the Christian power (France) that Christianity was able to defeat them and stop the spread and reverse it somewhat by taking back parts of Spain. So for 1400 years Islam has been using Jihad to advance Thieu religion and Mullahs do have some part in that but it is the religion and its teachings on converting the infidels that are at the heart of the problem.

[MEG33]

Thanks for the update..Go Israel!

[WardMClark]

IDF is a quarter of the size of the Syrian forces. In other words, the Syrian forces are badly outnumbered.

"Ten to one, Robin - at least it will be a fair fight."

[Bush gal in LA]

''The bigger question is, if they find them will it be reported on by ABC,CBS,NBC,MSNBC,NYT,WaPo,REUTERS,AP?''..........Sure it will be reported on.......It'll sound something like this,......Neocon operatives Karl Rove, and George Bush with the help of the company Haliburton planted the weapons that were found today in Syria in order to ensure they would keep their Republican majority and.............

[garbageseeker]

Israel would win that figh.

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

Pisses me off that the Israelis have to do what America is afraid to. We should subjecting the terrorist forces to B-52 strikes. You think a Snakeye bomb from an F-16 is bad, Hezzies, you haven't even seen a preview of how miserable life can be.

[UCANSEE2]

Oh, I agree.

Just reading some interesting info.
Seems that Christianity developed from following the wise men who saw a star (meteorite) and followed it to the birth of Jesus.

The Islams followed the star (meteorite) and started worshipping the smoking rock where it landed.

They still do.

[UCANSEE2]

I give up. What and where is this?

[rfreedom4u]

If they are they better get into Syria. I hear that's where they are.

[UCANSEE2]

I was being sarcastic.

I should have said 'great info'.

Thanks.

[garbageseeker]

No problem

[UCANSEE2]

Soldiers of Allah was what first came to mind.

First reactions are often so accurate.

[UCANSEE2]

Cheers to you too!

[Recall]

Thank you for this post. Wow, you covered thousands of years in just a dozen lines!
So who do you think they took from the hospital..I would love to think it was the kidnapped soldiers.

[Psycho_Runner]

Israeli helicopters also attacked a target 15 kilometers west of Baalbek, starting a huge fire, witnesses said.
I wonder if GW called in a favor...;^)

My thoughts exactly. Its a shame if Bakaa Valley gets bombed. I hear they have some excellent restaurants.

[bnelson44]

Its in Baalbek and it is the largest carved stone in the world.

[SunkenCiv]

I'd never heard of this one before, but by chance I saw it at the enormous chain bookstore and picked it up for this article:

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SPECIAL FEATURE How Wars Are Won: Keys to Victory From Warfare’s Great Commanders Acclaimed historian Bevin Alexander shares history’s greatest combat leaders’ secrets to battlefield success! An ACG exclusive!

---

I'm not entirely sold on these tips the author offered, and the mag seems to be geared a lot toward virtual war gaming.

[unseen]

not sure hope it was the soldiers also

[Ancesthntr]

I don't know the exact numbers, but Israel's Air Force is quite large and, much more importantly, is of vastly superior quality.