Posted on 08/13/2006 11:53:08 PM PDT by garbageseeker
The cease-fire in the Middle East has taken effect. The Air Force, Navy, artillery and other units were ordered to halt all offensive operations.
Since fighting erupted 34 days ago, 166 Israelis were killed - 114 IDF soldiers and 52 civilians.
While the ceasefire agreement was "fragile," the IDF planned to uphold its side to the agreement and to suspend all offensives against the guerrilla group Monday morning, a high-ranking officer in the Northern Command told The Jerusalem Post Sunday night.
On Sunday, the IDF completed taking up positions along the Litani River in preparation for the ceasefire. IDF troops operating in Lebanon, the officer said, would halt their attacks on Hizbullah strongholds in nearby villages but would maintain their positions and would be ready to "jump into any village or city, including Tyre, if necessary."
If Hizbullah fired Katyusha rockets into Israel after the ceasefire went into effect, the IDF, the high-ranking officer said, would see itself allowed to bomb targets throughout Lebanon, including in Beirut. "If Hizbullah breaks the ceasefire, we will see ourselves allowed to respond," the officer said.
Two hours before the cease-fire went into effect, the IAF dropped leaflets on central Beirut Monday, warning it will retaliate for any attack launched against it from Lebanon.
Addressed to Lebanese citizens, one leaflet said Hezbollah serves the interests of its Iranian and Syrian patrons and has "brought destruction, displacement and death."
"Will you be able to pay this price again?" it said.
"The Israeli Defense Forces will return and act with the required force against any terrorist act that is launched from Lebanon against the State of Israel," it said.
(Excerpt) Read more at jpost.com ...
I'll take thirty-four minutes in the pool betting..
Like most of us posting here, I don't see the ceasefire lasting long. Lebanon won't or can't control Hezbollah. Hezbollah won't disarm willingly. Israel will continue the beat down, probably pushing on further into Lebanon (Bekaa Valley!). Only now, they'll have the implicit blessing of the UN Security Council. So this ceasefire may prove to be a brilliant diplomatic gambit after all.
Iran keeps pushing....
It will be a temporary clam.
A very temporary clam! :-)
It this "cease-fire" lasts even as long as three days, I'll be plumb amazed.
You'll be able to knock me down with a feather, I'll be so gob-smacked.
Disarm Lezhezbo's? Bwahahahahahaha....... Like THAT is gonna happen. Olmert and Kadima coalition...resign now!
We appear to see this situation the same way.
>>This ceasefire will not last long.
That would be my guess, too...<<
The hezzies here remind me of Roger Rabbit in the “shave and a haircut” scene in the bar. He could not help but finish the pattern.
We and the Israelis are counting on it.
We’re looking at the agreement, the Hezzies and just singing, “Shave and a haircut…”.
Wait for it…wait for it…
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