Posted on 08/02/2006 1:58:35 AM PDT by mrsmel
While the IDF needs until the end of the week to deal Hizbullah a fatal blow, the military is prepared to remain in southern Lebanon for as long as it takes, even several months, until a multinational force takes control of the territory, IDF Deputy Chief of Staff Maj.-Gen. Moshe Kaplinsky told The Jerusalem Post Tuesday.
"The IDF knows how to operate for as long as it takes even if it means remaining in the territory for a long time," Kaplinsky told the Post during a visit to a military base along the northern border. The general said the IDF was currently working according to an operational plan in which IDF troops would push their way through southern Lebanon until the Litani River, some 40 kilometers from the border with Israel. But if necessary, he said, the IDF was prepared to travel even further northward.
On Tuesday, the largest military force was operating in Lebanon since Israel launched Operation Change of Direction on July 12 following the abduction of two soldiers in a cross-border Hizbullah attack. Paratroopers were operating in the village of Aita al-Sha'ab near Shtula, troops from the Golani Brigade were operating near the village of Al Adisya north of Metula, the Nahal Brigade was operating near the village of Ataybah close by and the Armored Corps 7th Brigade was operating near Maroun a-Ras.
Also Tuesday, thousands of IDF reservists were gearing up for the first incursion of reservists into southern Lebanon.
The IDF, a high-ranking source in the Northern Command said Tuesday, needed at least one more week to clear the area south of the Litani River of Hizbullah guerillas. The troops on the ground, he said, would not spend more than one-to-two days inside the Hizbullah strongholds and would operate at a faster pace than in the past.
"We will sweep through the area in an effort to exterminate the Hizbullah presence in the villages," the officer said, expressing hope that the objective would be achieved before the UN Security Council passed a resolution calling for a cease-fire, expected to happen by the end of the week.
Signifying, however, that the IDF might also try to send troops north of the Litani, IAF fighter jets dropped tens of thousands of leaflets over villages north of the river on Tuesday calling on the residents to flee further north in anticipation of IDF operations in the area.
Brig.-Gen. Alon Friedman, deputy commander of the Northern Command, said Tuesday evening that while it would take until the end of the week for the IDF to take up positions within southern Lebanon, it could take over a month to destroy Hizbullah terror infrastructure in the area.
"If we will need to operate north of the Litani," Friedman said, "we will also operate there." A high-ranking officer said the IDF was slightly disappointed with the progress of the ground operations in southern Lebanon and was hoping that the current incursion would bring the results. "We would have liked things to go faster," the officer said. "The enemy, however, had six years to get ready and infantry units can only go as fast as they can walk."•
My sentiments exactly! I didn't think they'd have the righteous contempt for "world opinion" that they are finally showing,but it's a good thing that I was wrong! I'm glad that they realise that the "world" for the most part could care less about the survival of Israel,so they need to do what they need to do. And I'm glad they had the guts to state "no UN forces" when they pull back.
(Go Israel, Go! Slap 'Em Down Hezbullies.)
This is the key to peace in the middle east--the fighting must continue until Hezbollah is defeated totally. This is the lesson from history. When there is war, if one side is allowed to be totally defeated, then there will be peace; for a time.
Consider World War II. Since Germany, Italy, and Japan were defeated and unconditionally surrendered, they have not been a threat to peace since. In fact, they all 3 have become allies of the United States.
Consider further our wars with England. Now they are our greatest allies.
But, conversely, when our enemies were not totally defeated, they remain a military threat to us and to the rest of the world; North Vietnam and North Korea.
No, let Israel deal fully with Hezbollah and utterly defeat them. They may not become allies, but at least there will be a good long time of peace with them.
I agree.And besides,everytime there is "heat" between israel and one group or another of their aggressive neighbors,and Israel bows to international pressure by nations who do not have the survival of Israel at heart,and Israel stops short of utterly defeating the attacker,the aggressor only perceives Israel as weak and plots to gain strength for yet another attack. Hizbollah didn't gain the ability to attack even as long as they have in this war overnight.
Israel knows that the stated aims of these terrorist groups are to annihilate it. You can't stop short of complete victory,and undeniable defeat for your enemy,under that circumstance.
I wish the US had some of the IDF generals in the war with Iraq. The IDF seem very smart in their logistics and, be damned what the public thinks.
War is hell and, the sooner the American people realize this, the better.
I agree that our military would benefit from the history of the IDF, we have never fought a war within our borders as the likes of whats happening around Israel and the American public has no concept of what it was in our history of when we did fight the British.
I say Israel should do some payback for WW2 to these Muslims. Build some "relocation camps", nice big shower rooms, heh heh heh.
Israel must absolutely make a stand, make it the sternest lesson to these terrorists, you mess with us we will get you whatever, whereever you are. Gotta love those Targeted Assasination groups the IDF has, wish we had them in the US, it would definately lessen prison/jail overcrowding.
I think that their targeted assassinations are one of their greatest strengths. I wish that they could take out Nasrallah,and that Bin Laden would just happen to be visiting when they do.
The Europeans will be in a snit.
They already have. Why are threads on the Lebanon situation is such short supply this morning?
Then it must be the right thing to do,haha.
Have they already sent in regular troops(not the special force that got the Hizbollah members at the hospital in Baalbek)?
I don't know why threads on Lebanon are in short supply right now-not much info coming out right now? I'm refreshing the Jerusalem Post site like crazy,hoping for new info. The IDF (rightfully) keeps a tight lid on their operations.
A lot of Freepers
are brainstorming strategies
to save Mel Gibson . . .
Well...because the opinions of a man who play-acts for a living are so relevant...huh? The cult of celebrity is a curse in this nation of formerly independent-minded citizens.
High volume. Articles on Israel can also be found by clicking on the Topic or Keyword Israel. also
2006israelwar or WOT
..................
The cult of celebrity is a curse in this nation of formerly independent-minded citizens.
That's one worth remembering!
es
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