IDF to begin withdrawal by end of week

The Jerusalem Post ^ | 08/14/2006 | By YAAKOV KATZ

[garbageseeker]

Israel's war with Hizbullah seemed to come to an end on Monday, the first day of quiet after a UN-brokered cease-fire went into effect at 8 a.m. following more than a month of fighting. Senior officers told The Jerusalem Post the IDF planned to begin withdrawing troops from Lebanon by the end of the week and to begin releasing thousands of reservists back to their homes.

On Monday, high-ranking IDF officers met with officials from UNIFIL at the Rosh Hanikra crossing and discussed the planned handover of southern Lebanon to the multinational force - made up of an upgraded UNIFIL and the Lebanese army - set to begin gradually by the end of the week.

As the cease-fire took effect, the IDF suspended all air strikes and artillery shelling of Hizbullah targets. Troops inside Lebanon were ordered to hold their fire and only engage Hizbullah gunmen if their lives were in immediate danger.

One issue that remained unclear was what the IDF's response would be to Syrian attempts to smuggle weapons into Lebanon to rehabilitate Hizbullah. One member of the General Staff said the IDF reserved for itself the right to attack the convoys. A senior officer in the Northern Command said the IDF would hold its fire while asking the Lebanese army to assist in preventing the transfer of the weapons.

Explaining the new setup in Lebanon, one senior officer said that trucks carrying weapons or Hizbullah gunmen did not pose an immediate threat and therefore would not be targeted. "The idea is to open fire at Hizbullah only if soldiers are faced with an immediate threat. Trucks carrying weapons do not fall under that category," he said.

[garbageseeker]

This is so sad.

[Btrp113Cav]

you said it.

[AZRepublican]

I have a feeling they will be returning....

[garbageseeker]

     

[Chena]

Time will tell. Until then, prayers for Israel and those who protect her.

[USNBandit]

[garbageseeker]

I agree with. Now is the time to rally behind the citizens of Israel

[hosepipe]

Lebanese troops = Hizballah(or enablers) with uniforms..

[zarf]

Israel tosses in the towel.

Now bring on the UN big guns!

[garbageseeker]

I agree.

[EagleUSA]

I hope this is the LAST TIME that Israel allows itself to be coerced by the rotten, terrorist-supporting U.N. -- yes, they will be back at it soon enough. Iran will have the pressure back on the Hezzies real fast...after re-arming them. At least Israel got some good info/intel and learned a few lessons on this venture.

They will need it soon enough.

[garbageseeker]

At least Israel got some good info/intel and learned a few lessons on this venture

I agree. That is the bright side out of the debacle.

[garbageseeker]

At least Israel got some good info/intel and learned a few lessons on this venture

I agree. That is the bright side out of the debacle.

[ClaireSolt]

The most interesting news right now concerns the actions of the government of Lebanon and what it is saying about sending troops into the south. Yesterday, they cancelled a cabinet meeting on the subject. Today they first said their troops would be at the Litani by Friday, and later they said by Wednesday. This indicates to me that the majority is probably asserting itself without the Hez ministers and is intent on asserting control. That is what both Israel and the US want it to do.

[garbageseeker]

The most interesting news right now concerns the actions of the government of Lebanon and what it is saying about sending troops into the south. Yesterday, they cancelled a cabinet meeting on the subject. Today they first said their troops would be at the Litani by Friday, and later they said by Wednesday

It was interesting too. It is amazing they are having a very lax attitude over the ceasefire after yelling and screaming for a ceasefire.

[goldstategop]

Continued capitulation as national policy. And Israel will abandon southern Lebanon, taken at a enormous cost in lives with nothing to show for it. That IS sad.

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

[garbageseeker]

Today they first said their troops would be at the Litani by Friday, and later they said by Wednesday

There must be some confusion or maybe fighting in their government. I think that Hezbollah members inside the government may be causing some trouble.

[Fitzcarraldo]

A rather expensive fact-finding mission.

[Fitzcarraldo]

Hezebola will have the UN and friends wrapped around its little finger in two seconds.

[garbageseeker]

Continued capitulation as national policy. And Israel will abandon southern Lebanon, taken at a enormous cost in lives with nothing to show for it. That IS sad.

I agree. Everything was in Israel's favor and they were poised for a resounding victory. But poor leadership on the Israel's side robbed her of it. The next time Israel will meet Hezbollah on the battlefield it will be with a Hezbollah with WMDs