Israel puts ground offensive on hold

Yahoo News ^ | 09/09/2006 | By RAVI NESSMAN, Associated Press

[goldstategop]

The stupidity of Israeli politicians never ceases to surprise me. They've always exceeded my low expectations of them.

(Go Israel, Go! Slap 'Em Down Hezbullies.)

[garbageseeker]

This a suprising development. I am disappointed that Olmert would do this.

[MinorityRepublican]

I am disappointed that Olmert would do this.

Not me. He is a coward.

[weston]

translation:

Israeli politician loses his cajones

[afnamvet]

Anybody have muti source confirmation?

[timestax]

PEACE IN OUR TIMES..

not

[timestax]

big mistake, if true...

[goldstategop]

The last 4 weeks has been a Really Really Hard exercise we've seen before - on more spectacular scale. But the bottom line is, thanks to the fecklessness and timidity of Israel's leaders, Hezbollah will probably emerge with enhanced stature and prestige in the Islamic and Muslim world and have over time an even deadlier arsenal facing Israel. Olmert had his chance to shine as an Israeli leader and blew it.

(Go Israel, Go! Slap 'Em Down Hezbullies.)

[Civ]

I believe that the IDF itself is concerned that it may not be able to remove Hez. I think this is a valid concern, and that unless they strike Syria to eliminate Hez supply lines, this would be an exercise in futility.

I feel they should strike Syria and enter south Lebanon. But any half-measures would be sure to fail.

[peyton randolph]

No chance of a coup by BiBi? Sharon in a coma is more competent than Olmert.

[Cyclopean Squid]

The Israeli-Hezbollah conflict is a microcosm of the West and the War on Terror: a failure of will

[thoughtomator]

The government will come down before the nation of Israel fails to finish this war. Even the left in Israel supports this war.

[Slings and Arrows]

In fairness, it could mean "Israel has put its massive new ground offensive into southern Lebanon on hold for two or three days to give the troops time to rest and train, and to position forces and supplies."

[1066AD]

Disinformation ?

Hopes to watch Hez movements/resupply/repositioning - "smoke 'em out"?

A gotcha in there somewhere .. we'll sit tight unless we see ... ?

Or just new generation wusses in charge?

[Almondjoy]

While I sympathize with what you are saying and I defintely want Hezbollah destroyed myself, I think that Israel is playing the right card here. They don't lose surprise by putting off the assault as there was none to begin with. We also know that an occupation of Southern Lebanon does nothing for their long term goals as this was tried before.

Basically we are looking at an attempt by Israel to say to the world that frowns on them "Look, we are willing to hold back our assault so that you can figure out something that will bring peace here." It's the political game card. If nothing gets done they will say "See you can't do it so we have to do it ourselves." If a meaningful force is assembled of troops(my hope would be Nato) that could not just watch Hezbollah build up again I think that would be great for all parties involved. If not like I said Israel loses no advantage by waiting and only puts itself in a position to say to the world "You can't figure it out so we will.".

[MinorityRepublican]

The IDF as of August, 2004 had (according to unofficial estimates) 168,000 personnel, including 107,500 conscripts. The army had 125,000; the navy had 8,000; the air force had 35,000. Full mobilization to 576,000 could be quickly achieved with the reserves of 408,000

According to Wikipedia.

[peyton randolph]

I feel they should strike Syria and enter south Lebanon.

---

With a simultaneous U.S. air strike on Iran's nuke facilities coupled with the take down of Mookie the mad cleric and public hanging of Saddam Hussein in Iraq. Would solve a lot of problems in the Mid-East.

[goldstategop]

Yes, the Israeli government will not survive this. This war has exposed serious deficiencies in the conduct of Israel's civilian leadership and its military. The repercussions are going to be through and severe once the nation finds it was let down.

(Go Israel, Go! Slap 'Em Down Hezbullies.)

[garbageseeker]

If the war does not go well you, may find Olmert without a job and Bibi as Prime Minister.