'Israel releases map detailing hundreds of Hezbollah sites in Lebanon'

Map obtained by the Washington Post reveals that Israeli intelligence officials believe that the 550 underground bunkers identified have been stocked with weapons transferred from Syria since the 2006 Second Lebanon War.

Israeli military officials have provided a map detailing nearly 1,000 sites and facilities monitored by the Hezbollah militant group in southern Lebanon, the Washington Post reported on Wednesday.

Israeli intelligence officials believe that the 550 underground bunkers identified have been stocked with weapons transferred from Syria since the 2006 Second Lebanon War, according to the report. The map obtained by the Washington Post also details 300 surveillance sites and 100 other facilities Israel believes belong to Hezbollah militants.

Lucy and Charlie and football.

On 11 August 2006, the United Nations Security Council unanimously approved UN Resolution 1701 in an effort to end the hostilities. The resolution, which was approved by both Lebanese and Israeli governments the following days, called for disarmament of Hezbollah, for withdrawal of Israel from Lebanon, and for the deployment of Lebanese soldiers and an enlarged United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) in the south. UNIFIL was given an expanded mandate, including the ability to use force to ensure that their area of operations wasn't used for hostile activities, and to resist attempts by force to prevent them from discharging their duties.
In the time since the enactment of UNSCR 1701 both the Lebanese government and UNIFIL have stated that they will not disarm Hezbollah.

It would probably be a good idea of Israel to make an official declaration, because the Geneva Conventions have always been firm that when combatants place non-combatants in harm’s way, these combatants, not their enemy, are to blame if harm befalls the non-combatants.

Israel should also get downright pushy about the Geneva rules, to the effect that Hezbollah fighters must both be uniformed and carry required identification. In this case, the Conventions outline “Protective Powers”, who are neutral countries that act to monitor and enforce the Conventions in time of war. Israel should present them with this evidence now, officially asking Hezbollah to remove civilians from these targeted areas. If Hezbollah refuses, this is admissible as evidence after the fact if those civilians are harmed in a conflict.

Article 1. The laws, rights, and duties of war apply not only to
armies, but also to militia and volunteer corps fulfilling the
following conditions:

1. To be commanded by a person responsible for his subordinates;
2. To have a fixed distinctive emblem recognizable at a distance;
3. To carry arms openly; and
4. To conduct their operations in accordance with the laws and customs of war.

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