Posted on 08/06/2006 5:29:55 PM PDT by Shermy
The Israel Defense Forces plan to ramp up their offensive in Lebanon in response to Sunday's rocket attacks on northern Israel, which killed three civilians in Haifa and 12 reservists near Kfar Giladi.
A senior General Staff officer told Haaretz that for the first time since the fighting began, Israel plans to attack strategic infrastructure targets and symbols of the Lebanese government.
Other than bombing the Beirut airport to prevent arms transfers to Hezbollah, Israel has hitherto not targeted Lebanon's infrastructure, insisting that it is only at war with Hezbollah, not with the Lebanese government or people.
However, the officer said, "we are now in a process of renewed escalation. We will continue hitting everything that moves in Hezbollah - but we will also hit strategic civilian infrastructure."
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Defense Minister Amir Peretz will meet with senior defense officials this morning to discuss the continuation of the operation.
... ...
If Hezbollah has not ceased its fire by this weekend, they added, the IDF will recommend an additional significant expansion of the operation, including the conquest of most of Lebanon south of the Litani River, including the area around Tyre, and a significant increase in air strikes on infrastructure targets. "It could be that at the end of the story, Lebanon will be dark for a few years," said one.
... ...
(Excerpt) Read more at haaretz.com ...
"OK, they bomb it at night or something. What does that have to do with reining in the missile launchers, which is what this game is all about?"
Nothing. Olmert acting weak. He has nothing to trade with Hezbollah, just a few miles of land they'll leave eventually anyway.
Choke off the ability of Lebanon to get new missile launchers. That requires troops on the ground for purposes of interdiction. Air games won't cut it.
It starts with the letter "D" and ends with the letter "S".
Make it so no stone is atop another. Israel will have a century of peace after that.
L
bttt
I don't see why Olmert, or anybody else, should trade anything with Hezbollah. These are not the kind of people (and I use the term with extreme generosity) you barter with.
You and I don't know what's coming across those borders, Israel does. Especially because they are now capturing Hizballah agents.
"I would suggest that IDF hit military targets"
The problem is there are no military targets to speak of. Hezbollah has dug into civilian polulation and has built a vast network of underground tunnels that allows it to continue this fight for a long time. Nobody knows how many missiles they actually have.
"The Lebanese govt has thrown in its lot with the Hezbozos, and now their population will pay the price."
Are you kidding me? What "price" for? They aren't military targets their talking about. And Israel can spin that BS about "supply lines" all they want, it's still BS. The supply line, if one is even needed, is through the Bekaa, a supposed supply line the Israelis could shut with small armor thrust.
Olmert blew it. Should have gone to the Litani and had something to trade. Instead he's going to beat up a government that fears Syria might come back in to "stabilize" it.
Maybe Olmert is just plain afraid to take on Hezbollah directly.
(Go Israel, Go! Slap 'Em Down Hezbullies.)
Degrading transportation routes from the air is grand, and I am all in favor of it, but it won't solve the problem. It is just feel good theater. What is needed is troops on the ground to interdict new shipments of missile launchers from Iran. The key issue here is how to staunch from getting too near Israel Iranian missile launchers, and missiles. Is anyone with me on this one?
Israel should take all water and electrical power throughout the country. Every government office and building should be destroyed beyond repair. Let them all run into to Syrai for protection, and then do the same to Syria. They will get the message, fast
You say bombing the intrastructure will ENHANCE morale?
Bombing does not enhance morale. Ask the Japanese.
Bombing wins wars. War is hell. The sooner there is a clear victory, the better.
Go, Israel!
"I don't see why Olmert, or anybody else, should trade anything with Hezbollah. These are not the kind of people (and I use the term with extreme generosity) you barter with."
Olmert's been thinking a trade from day one.
SHaron would have been at the outskirts of Beirut now, every one begging for peace.
Well, that's great except the "internation community" has spoken and they are demanding a ceasefire and now Lebanon is demanding that the thing include insisting that Israel leave Lebanon. Time makes it imparative that they do as much damage to shipping routes as possible.
Take him at his word. He means it.
The Lebanese government needs to feel pain until they put this rat in a cage and hand him over to Israeli authorities so he can be put on trial for multiple murders. It's a pity you don't have capital punishment over there.
Swinging this piece of trash from the end of a piece of good stout hempen rope after a fair trial would go a long way towards removing his 'hero' status.
I don't know much about the Israeli legal system but I don't see why you just don't convene the Israeli equivalent of a Grand Jury, indict him for murder, and demand his extradition.
If the Lebanese government fails to comply then you can reduce their vaunted 'infrastructure' to rubble one piece at a time until they do.
Although personally I think the real sources of your trouble lie a bit further to the northeast and east. A few 2,000 GPS guided diplomatic packages dropped into downtown Damascus would go a long way towards reducing your problem.
Just my opinion.
L
Maybe Hezbollah is just plain afraid to take on the IDF directly. That is why they have to hide behind women and children.
You keep mentioning some "trade" thing. Do you mean the ransom of the 2 IDF soldiers Hezbollah is holding? Just pay the ransom. Is that what you mean by "trade" wise guy?
No, this is a different kind of war. Ground troops will just be targets for the terrorists.
Bombs away!
(Go Israel, Go! Slap 'Em Down Hezbullies.)
Indiscriminate bombing of civilian areas definitely is a morale booster. Just ask Churchill. He will tell you he got on his knees and thanked Jesus when the Nazis stopped bombing ports, and started bombing civilian neighborhoods. It basically saved England from starvation, while annealing the the populace to the long hard slog.
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