Posted on 08/11/2006 2:09:20 PM PDT by Mr. Mojo
In a dramatic game of brinksmanship, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert ordered an expanded ground war in Lebanon because of dissatisfaction over an emerging U.N. cease-fire deal, but later Friday indicated he might be ready to accept an amended version.
The zigzag reflected Israel's dilemma after a month of fighting. Israel has been unable to defeat Hezbollah by force and is concerned about growing Israeli casualties and international condemnation if the war persists. However, Olmert also fears accepting a cease-fire deal that does not rein in the guerrillas could lead to another war and hurt him politically.
The day's tumultuous events began with a decision by Olmert, after consultations with his defense minister, to send troops deeper into Hezbollah territory _ even as U.N. Security Council negotiations neared an end.
Still, that order was coupled with signals from Israel that it could halt the offensive if a cease-fire arrangement meets its demands, particularly for a strong multinational force. "There is no question whatsoever that the military operation can be stopped at any time," Israeli government spokeswoman Miri Eisen told CNN.
Several hours later, France and the United States reached agreement on a final draft resolution, to be put to a vote later Friday. The draft would authorize the deployment of 15,000 U.N. peacekeepers in south Lebanon to support the Lebanese army's movement into the region "as Israel withdraws."
The draft would ask the U.N. force to monitor a full cessation of hostilities and help Lebanese forces gain full control over an area that had been controlled by Hezbollah. The draft said the U.N. force could respond by "forceful means" to efforts to prevent it from carrying out its mandate.
The final version fell short of Israel's demand that the force be deployed under the U.N. Charter's Chapter 7, which would authorize troops to use force. Lebanon opposes that because of its fears such a mandate would make the peacekeepers look like occupiers.
Israeli officials said a small, weak U.N. force in south Lebanon is a deal breaker. Israel worries such a force will not be able to prevent Hezbollah guerrillas from resuming attacks on Israel.
However, Israel TV's Channel 10 quoted an Olmert aide as saying the final draft was "good for Israel," and an individual close to the government said there was a "good chance" Israel would accept it.
A decision on the offensive could come later, said the individual, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the high-stakes deliberations.
The fighting, which began July 12 after Hezbollah guerrillas crossed into Israel and seized two Israeli soldiers, has killed more than 800 people _ including at least 732 Lebanese and 122 Israelis.
After nightfall Friday, there were signs of troop movement on the Israel-Lebanon border. Battle-ready soldiers carrying heavy backpacks marched near the frontier as tanks assembled nearby. In south Lebanon, there were no reports of increased troop activity.
Eisen said the wider offensive had not yet begun, contradicting earlier claims by Israeli officials that it was already under way.
More than 10,000 Israeli troops are fighting Hezbollah guerrillas in south Lebanon. In the new phase, Israeli forces will push toward Lebanon's Litani River, some 18 miles from the Israel-Lebanon border, trying to capture more than twice as much territory as they hold now.
Olmert has faced growing criticism at home for the army's inability to halt the rocket barrages on Israel; Hezbollah has fired more than 3,500 rockets in the monthlong war. Polls also indicated his high approval rating was slipping.
Commentators have suggested Olmert's political career was at stake, and that he might even be forced to step down. Many Israelis believe defeating Hezbollah is essential for their country's long-term security.
Olmert's decision to expand the war came as Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and other senior diplomats scrambled Friday to adopt a cease-fire resolution.
"We're working for a vote today," Rice said, after learning of the dramatic announcement from Jerusalem. She then called Olmert, to hear from him whether there was still room for negotiations.
In Lebanon, Israeli airstrikes pounded south Beirut and border crossings to Syria, and ground fighting picked up intensity in the south of the country. In the Bekaa Valley, an Israeli drone attacked a convoy of more than 100 vehicles fleeing the occupied town of Marjayoun, killing at least one man and wounding others.
Haaretz.com - ISRAEL ACCEPTS UN CEASE-FIRE RESOLUTION
Big mistake, lefty.
Awful
The only honorable thing to do would be for Olmert to swallow an automatic. However, honorable and Olmert don't exist in the same universe.
What an idiot.
Wow, the anti-Israel media is putting on a full court press. Bogus pics, false stories, and now hugely negative attacks on Olmert.
Go IDF!!!! All the way to Tehran and Damascus! Hammer-down and don't stop till they squeal!
I have amended my tag line to include AP, Reuters, and Haaretz (however you spell that traitorous, leftist Israeli rag).
Olmert may or may not be losing his nerve, wait and see.
What an a**hat! He killed off hundreds of his people and kept many, many more in bomb shelters for weeks only to end up where they started!
It'll free fall now. Like my opinion of Condi.
Hesbos will end up running Lebanon for their masters in Iran.
Isreal will be signing its own death warrant if it goes along with this.
Reuters - ISRAELI FORCES EN ROUTE TO LEBANON - ISRAELI TV REPORTING FROM BORDER
ROFL
The tenth thread today on this subject? Do we need 10 threds :)
One says it is on
One says it is off
One thread says this and one says that.
Nobody knows what Israel is going to do. Do you think they are going to announce to everyone their strategy? Doubt it.
Why don't we wait and see what happens next. Everyone getting pissed off because they think the man can't lead. Maybe you are right but maybe you are not.
These roller-coaster threads are becoming a dime a dozen :)
But that is just my opinion...
...and missles will still rain down on Israel.
That's the impression a ceasefire leaves now.
Olmert's mismanagement of this war would make a liberal Democrat proud. Hezbollah, Iran, and Syria will be emboldened by it. We'll all pay the price for it.
Jeez... was there ever a worse war-time leader than Olmert? It would be like having President Daschle here. Now that I mention it...
WAIT, STOP THE PRESS, DID ANYONE ASK LEBANON IF THEY APPOROVE OF THE ISRAELI WITHDRAW???
I'll see it when I believe it.
I know, I know your right but I lose my temper when I think the terrorist scum, this includes our MSM, will win this one!:) I should always remember this: The MSM lies and lies and lies!
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