Posted on 11/19/2002 2:31:41 PM PST by 1bigdictator
[IMRA: Bad news for withdrawal backers] Hizbullah 'likely' to attack during US-Iraq war
By DAVID RUDGE The Jerusalem Post 19 November 2002 [IMRA: The Hebrew edition of Ha'aretz had a similar article but for some reason the editors of the English edition declined to share this information with their readers. Withdrawal supporters frequently point to the unilateral withdrawal from Lebanon as a fantastic success that should be repeated in the West Bank and Gaza Strip because as of this minute the Hizbullah forces that are on Israel's northern border (who have been tracking literally every Israeli movement near the border for more than a year to enable them to maximum the effectiveness of their opening attack at a time and place of their choosing) have not yet attacked. The same logic is used by many Israelis who decline to have their children use seat belts when driving since - as of that moment they haven't been in an accident.]
Hizbullah could take advantage of any US-led assault on Iraq to launch missiles at targets in Israel, a senior IDF officer said on Monday.
According to the officer, the government may need to reassess Israel's policy of restraint along the northern border, as well as its approach to the use of force, depending on events vis-a-vis Iraq.
The possibility of Hizbullah joining the fray in the event of Iraqi retaliation against Israel is considered a serious possibility, especially in light of its public support for Palestinian terrorist organizations and its own ongoing operations.
Since the IDF's withdrawal from southern Lebanon in May 2000, 10 Israelis have been killed, including six in the terrorist infiltration near Kibbutz Matzuva in March this year, as well as four soldiers, in Hizbullah's cross-border attacks.
The last fatality occurred in a Hizbullah attack on IDF positions in the Mount Dov region on August 31. The three soldiers were kidnapped in a Hizbullah ambush in the same region in October 2000.
Hizbullah, which America has defined as a leading terrorist organization, certainly has the military means to attack Israel with an estimated 1,000 highly-trained fighters, and thousands more who can be called upon at short notice.
According to recent reports, Hizbullah has more than 8,000 Katyusha rockets, including long-range missiles capable of reaching Haifa and its environs, in addition to an armory of mortars, anti-tank missiles, some artillery pieces, and explosive devices.
There have also been unconfirmed reports that the organization has trained in the use of chemical weapons with al-Qaida operatives in Lebanon.
The senior IDF officer said Syria had supplied Hizbullah with 220-millimeter missiles that have a range of 75 kilometers but are not noted for being particularly accurate.
The same source said efforts are being made to produce 303mm rockets. On the basis of the size, such missiles would be capable of reaching as far south as Tel Aviv.
The senior officer added that Syria is helping to build Hizbullah into a factor that would be capable of vying with Israel, without dragging Syria into a direct confrontation with Israel.
The bulk of Hizbullah's armory is supplied by Iran, which is its main financier, ideological mentor, and trainer, although the security source maintained that Syria also has a vested interest in ensuring that the organization pose a potential threat to Israel from Lebanon.
According to the source, Hizbullah is unique in terms of its military might for a non-sovereign organization within a state.
The senior officer said the prospect of a war with Syria is low, but could not be ruled out completely.
Syria, he said, is trying to increase the survivability of its forces through means of camouflage and hiding military development projects.
By the way, I expect the true answer is simply Israel's secularism. God made it clear He wants them to occupy and rule over the whole land, so it seems clear they are disobeying His will. Were they to obey, it would mean trusting Him for protection against the Arabs, and that requires faith they don't have.
There is no end to this Islamic hate until we can force them to change the preaching back to worshiping rather than JIHAD! Even, if we must put a spy in every freeking mosque in the world, and punish radical preachers ala mafia style.
Israel did not creat Hizbullah. Israel helped foster HAMAS (a Sunni group) to counter the PLO. Big mistake.
Uncle Sam built his missile force in sincere hope he'd never have to push the buttons.
The Mad Mullahs built their missile force with patient intention to push the buttons with gusto.
The mohamadan bugs love murder.
All all-queda must die.
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