Posted on 07/22/2006 6:42:49 PM PDT by SmithL
Israel has decided to widen the offensive against Hezbollah. Now the IDF chiefs are talking about fighting that would go on for weeks and the need for more time for various ground operations. On the other hand this would provide Hezbollah with time to wage a war of attrition against Israel's civilian population, unless the IDF destroys the rocket deployment in southern Lebanon.
The PMO's office and IDF believe Israel has all the operational time it needs for military action. Officials who know the American administration do not agree. They believe Israel has no more than 10 to 14 days to make significant military achievements. This also applies to the Israeli public's fortitude.
The Pentagon is following the fighting in Lebanon closely. They believe the key is Israel's ability to strike at the rocket deployment that Hezbollah received from Iran. The Pentagon regards the rocket deployment as strategic for Iran. That is why Israel must destroy it. Washington's expectations are also reflected in the swift delivery of bombs and munitions from the United States to Israel.
The IDF, whose ground activity remained close to the border until the end of the week, will widen its offensive. Elite commandos acted in the border area, where Hezbollah took over abandoned IDF outposts. They found Hezbollah outposts had deep tunnels with lighting. The IDF sustained losses in these operations. Apparently more effective means must be used to flush out Hezbollah with minimum losses.
(Excerpt) Read more at haaretz.com ...
They must choke off these tunnels but that will take time and If the Israeli public gives up before that happens, Israel should bring down the flag and move back to Brooklyn.
I don't detect any strong inclination on the part of the American public to do anything but cheer the Israelis on.
Keep it coming.
The public be damn'd. GWBush will make the decision.
Haaretz waves the white flag on a daily basis. Their analysis is not to be trusted.
We are also starting to take on Mehdi Army militias in Iraq.
In short, all of Iran's pawns are in for a shellacking.
Nailed it. Exactly right. And everything President Bush has said is this will go on as long as the Israelis are willing to go. Intresting staws in the wind today. Israeli has indicated it would except a NATO force in South Leabanon. Be intresting to see if the EU and NATO step up to the plate here.
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