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]

I do not think that you want to die a painful death from nerve agent getting on your skin. A drop of nerve agent will kill you. That is besides the point. The point is that nerve agent is somewhere and you may be right.

[unseen]

Israel also is saying up yours to Syria with this move


yeap...Israel is trying to make Syria choose. A small enough force to quickly get out if needed but a large enough force to secure it's flank and to tempt Syria into open conflict. Talk about the ripe fruit hanging from the tree. This is the first time that a Israel movement has been reported in depth while the operation is ongoing. Do you think Israel is trying to tempt Syria? I do.......

[unseen]

see post #42 I think the same thing is going on

[blam]

"Someone mentioned on day one that there will eventually be the hanmmer and the anvil."

I was one of many who said that. Albeit, the 'hammer' landed further north than I expected.

[CGVet58]

bttt

[unseen]

After the Qana staged event...do you think these people will not set off their own WMD on their own people and blame the IDF...and the MSM will happily report that the IDF is the guilty party.

[elhombrelibre]

Agreed, and putting a small force there shows total contempt for Syria or supreme confidence in the air force's ability to protect them. This is a dangerous operation.

[dennisw]

Do you think Israel is trying to tempt Syria? I do.......
_____________________

Sure but primary target is Hizb'Allah in Baalbek. Don't know hat Hizb'Allah has there but IDF must believe there's a lot worth destroying. Hit the Hizb'Allah guerrillas and assets where they are not dug in and hardened.

[FreeRep]

The power of IAF is terrific.

[sionnsar]

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".

Not everybody.

If you listen to this, you gonna lose the war.

Yup.

[petercooper]

Be careful of civilians.

/sar

[SkyPilot]

Go Israel!

[reagan_fanatic]

A spokesperson for Hizbullah said operatives of the terror organization had surrounding IDF troops that landed south of Baalbeck



"We're surrounded? That simplifies the problem."

[GeorgiaDawg32]

I agree..as the poster above said, if Syria gets into it, they'll get their asses kicked in short order..if they don't, Israel has protected their flank when they start the big push..

I'm not exactly sure what the next step for the Israelis will be, but if they were playing chess, the game would be all but over..highly organized, thoughtful moves, protection on the flanks with an offensive thrust that can't be stopped..

[flynmudd]

My idea of diplomacy is drop a bomb, call them up and ask if they want more. If they don't, drop another bomb and blame it on the translation. Call them again, say "sorry bad connection" you said you want more? Here they come.

Of course I'm biased, my son is leaving soon for the ME.

[randog]

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...;^)

[Ancesthntr]

From http://www.yonitheblogger.com/

"Insider Info

I have just hung up the phone with a good friend of mine who has relayed the following info to me. The Syrian Army has passed the word down from Assad that today sometime between now current time in Israel is 11:40pm (23:30) and the morning Israel will attack Syria."

As I post this, it is 1:16 AM Israel time, about 90 minutes after Yoni posted his message. I think that Israel is definitely baiting Syria, and I'm glad. No, I don't look forward to the inevitable Israeli casualties, but I do look forward to having Syria clocked but good - maybe good enough to make the Asshat regime fall. It'll also cut the balls off of Hezballooo. Iran will be left with its thumb in a very dark and smelly place...no allies left, facing a UN mandate to stop the nuke program within 30 days. Maybe that's why Condi went to Israel this weekend?

[unseen]

I'm sure that the helo's are not far away to airlift if needed to reenforce or to withdraw.

[dennisw]

IAF opening up a second front!

[American in Israel]

whatever was being transported went to the Mediterranian where it was loaded onto Russian warships

After all that effort to put those weapons into Jihadi hands, it seems strange to ship them all back to Russia.