We are in a very long war, and are, in fact, only at the beginning. Folks need to square their shoulders, take a deep breath, and prepare to march forward for years. This war may not end in my lifetime. We can win it, but we have to remain steadfast and not go off on our leaders every time we don't understand what's going on. I would remind people that those guys on the beaches of Normandy didn't know the big picture, and in fact probably thought they were in the middle of a disaster. But doing their duty, they pressed forward.
As you can tell, RDTF, I am sick of the constant carping and criticism of Condi, Bush, Omert, the IDF, and anyone else fighting Hezbollah. It's time for people to suck it up and exhibit a little patience!!
This is a smart move by the Israelis. It gives Hezbollah 24 hours to manuever, of course, but the time won't be long enough to bolster their capabilities in any meaningful manner. The suspension shows that the Israelis will respond to the global community within reason, taking some of the diplomatic heat off of Israel and the US.
A suspension puts more pressure on Hezbollah than it does Israel. The world has screamed for a cease-fire, and Israel has conditionally agreed, at least for a short period. If Hezbollah quits firing over the border, the Israelis may extend it, allowing the conflict to settle. However, no one really believes that Hezbollah will honor this -- after all, they started the war, and they obviously believe this plays to their benefit. Once they launch another rocket, all bets are off, and Israel will get at least another two weeks before the ADD-addled global diplomats again forget that Hezbollah started the war.
The US also benefits with this suspension. Given that our State Department announced it first and that it came at the end of Condoleezza Rice's trip to Jerusalem, it appears rather obvious that the demand came from the White House. That kind of intervention establishes that we have some limits -- even if they are foolish limits -- to our laissez-faire attitude towards Israeli action.
I predict that the suspension will not last; Hezbollah will continue its operations, providing yet another point of clarity in this conflict.
As if UN resolutions mean a g-damned thing. What a laff!
No reason to panic is quite right. Israel has gamed this out for years. A 48 hour pause just gives them a time to regroup. The Hezbos and their neighbors, are looking for food, water, and electricity in the meantime.