An unexploded Israeli missile lies in a street in the southern Lebanese border town of Bint Jbeil, the scene of intense battle between Hezbollah guerrillas and Israeli forces. Israel rejected mounting calls for a truce in its war on Hezbollah despite global outrage over an attack that killed at least 52 civilians, but a lull in raids allowed thousands of southern Lebanese to flee to safer havens.
AP: Israel approves wider ground offensive
Israel’s prime minister declared Monday that there would be no cease-fire with Hezbollah guerrillas, apologizing for the deaths of Lebanese civilians but saying “we will not give up on our goal to live a life free of terror.” His Security Cabinet approved widening the ground offensive.
Israeli warplanes hit Hezbollah fighters battling with soldiers near the border as the guerrillas fired mortars into Israel. But an Israeli suspension of most airstrikes in Lebanon — and a pause by the guerrillas on rocket attacks in northern Israel — brought both countries their quietest day since the conflict began three weeks ago.
Lebanese fled north in overflowing trucks and cars. About 200 people — mostly elderly — escaped the border town of Bint Jbail, where Israeli troops and Hezbollah guerrillas fought their bloodiest clashes. Two residents dropped dead on the road out, one of malnutrition, the other of heart failure.
These folks have had at least a week to “get out of Dodge.” What in the hell have they been waiting for? Or did Hezbollah convince them to stay?
An Israeli F16C fighter jet lands at the Ramat David Israeli air force base in northern Israel after returning from a mission over neighboring Lebanon on 20 July 2006.
Israel’s Security Cabinet early Tuesday approved widening the ground offensive, a participant said, and rejected a cease-fire until an international force is in place in southern Lebanon.
The participant, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to talk to reporters, said Israel’s airstrikes would resume “in full force” after a 48-hour suspension expires in another day.
Thousands of army reserves have been called up in recent days in advance of the decision, which is expected to lead to sending more troops into the border area. Israeli leaders have said they want to carve out a zone about 1 mile wide that would be free of Hezbollah.
Flap thinks that this decision to widen the ground offensive has been long overdue. The rocket attacks on northern Israel have continued despite an intensive air campaign. Israel, if it wishes to suppress the military capability of Hezbollah, must destroy rocket launchers one by one, if need be.
Flap also thinks that Israel will desire a more extensive de-militarized zone (more than one mile) for the international force that eventually is deployed on the border.
In this photo provided by the White House, President Bush meets with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice at the White House, Monday evening, July 31, 2006, to discuss her recent trip to the Middle East. The Israeli attack that killed 56 civilians in Qana, Lebanon, the deadliest single incident in the onslaught against Hezbollah militants, prompted Rice to cut her trip short.
Diplomacy by the Bush Administration will continue to be “slow played.” Israel is a sovereign state and must be allowed to defend itself against the non-state terrorists in Hezbollah who are waging an assymetric guerilla war.
Will an international force be sent to southern Lebanon to maintain the peace?
You bet, but not the blue helmeted United Nations forces. Probaby NATO will supply soldiers.
When?
After Israel wins a strategic victory against Hezbollah and not before.
Yesterday, Hezbollah and their minions in the western media were proclaiming victory for the Islamic terrorists and a defeat for Israel.
Flap thinks they celebrated too early.
Stay tuned…….
Captain Ed has Get Ready For The Offensive
While Israel earlier had asked for a 2-km buffer zone, reports say that the IDF incursion will penetrate much further than that. An Israeli commander interviewed on Fox said that they plan on pushing far into Lebanon to chase down and cut off Hezbollah. The IAF has successfully cut off many of the roads that Hezbollah would use to pull their equipment to safety in Syria, and they would need to act fast in order to take advantage of the cut in communications.
The French effort in Beirut has not yet hit the wires, but the French foreign minister has apparently requested an emergency meeting with the Iranian ambassador. France, which earlier today called Iran a stabilizing force in the Middle East, may try to get Iran to call back Hezbollah so that a settlement can be reached. I suppose it doesn’t hurt to ask, but one has to wonder how France would convince Iran that a war on Israel’s border doesn’t serve their national interest — which is, of course, the destruction of Israel.
France’s effort to engage Iran is more than likely to put a finger in the eye of Condoleezza Rice – just like they did to Colin Powell prior to the Iraq War. The French diplomats really are feckless unprincipled rascals who cannot be trusted. When Jacques Chirac dies leaves office perhaps a new group will be more reasonable – maybe.
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Israel at War Watch: Syrian President Bashar al-Assad Tells Syrian Military to Raise Readiness
Israel at War Watch: Iran Foreign Minister Mottaki Arrives in Lebanon
Israel at War Watch: Israel’s Defense Minister Peretz – IDF Will Expand Ground Offensive
Israel at War Watch: Israel Agrees to 48 Hour Suspension Of Aerial Activity
Israel at War Watch: U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan Calls For An Immediate Cease-Fire in Lebanon
Israel at War Watch: Hezbollah Cowardly Civilian Blending Questioned?
Israel at War Watch: Iran – “This War is Our Warâ€
Michael Ramirez on the Cowardice of Hezbollah
Israel at War Watch: Hezbollah Leader Nasrallah Threatens More Rocket Attacks on Cities in Central Israel
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