Cabinet set to approve ground push

The Jerusalem Post ^ | 08/08/2006 | Herb Kwinon

[garbageseeker]

With the French reportedly weighing changes to the UN cease-fire resolution that would tilt it in Lebanon's favor and a "war of the generals" taking place in the Northern Command, the security cabinet is expected Wednesday morning to approve an expanded ground operation up to the Litani River, and perhaps beyond.

Government sources said that the 12-person security cabinet, which Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said Tuesday had so far okayed all plans the IDF had brought for approval, would not likely reject plans for a wider operation, especially amid growing public impatience with the pace of the war.

Diplomatic officials said that Israel had not come under any US pressure to shelve plans for an expanded operation as various drafts of a US-French cease-fire resolution were being considered in the UN.

According to these officials, the US position that Israel has the right to defend itself was as firm today, with the country coming under a daily barrage of Katyusha fire, as it was during the first days of the war.

This position would only change, they said, once the UN cease-fire resolution has been voted upon. This is not expected until Thursday at the earliest.

Defense officials said that the IDF could be ready to push further into southern Lebanon within hours of the security cabinet decision.

[chichilarue]

Yes, but the correct solution was to have bombed southern Lebanon into smithereens. As it is, this is Israel's longest war already--even 1973 only took 2 weeks. I keep hoping, but it looks like they'll be forced into a "cease fire" (= loss).

[garbageseeker]

Yes, but the correct solution was to have bombed southern Lebanon into smithereens

I agree

[grey_whiskers]

Yes, but the correct solution was to have bombed southern Lebanon into smithereens nuked Tehran and Damascus.

There, all fixed.

[chichilarue]

Damascus sure...Tehran...well the people in Iran I think are against the mullahs. We should have helped them overthrow the nuts in power; as is, we should just overthrow it for them, give quick trials to and hang the mullahs, and then get out.

[Nextrush]

Between the United States calling for "restraint" and superdoves like Peretz being Defense Minister, its been a tough fight for Israel.

Their hands are way too tied and they need to loosen up and let go. The Iranians and Syrians think they can get away with it and not face consequences.

I suspect that ultimately the United States may want Israel to hold back because its an election year here. They want the big confrontation with Iran next year after the election but maybe if Iran goes wacko we can get this over with now.

[msnimje]

First Hezbullah then France!

[grey_whiskers]

Just playing annoying prick here.

But a lot of people claim the Lebanese 'civilians' haven't done enough to get rid of Hezbollah, so we shouldn't worry about their casualties.

By extension to Iran, then...

BTW, I agree with you completely that most of the up-and-coming generation of Iranians is pro-Western. But they're not the ones in charge, and I want to make sure Ahmedijenad and his fellow goobers are taken OUT.

Cheers!

[garbageseeker]

I suspect that ultimately the United States may want Israel to hold back because its an election year here.

That would the biggest mistake Israel would make. I believe that the Israelis should "conveniently" forget certain requests from Washington.

[garbageseeker]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060809/ap_on_re_mi_ea/lebanon_israel

[garbageseeker]

They are currently meeting