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Syria-Lebanon-Iran
Israeli Soldiers Still 'Ready to Rumble' Till Kidnapped Returned
2006-08-14
Reserve soldiers called up by the army to join the fighting in Lebanon began Monday to circulate a petition where they protest the fact abducted IDF soldiers in Lebanon have not yet been released.

The troops, who are just outside Lebanon at this time, already managed to get hundreds of signatures on the petition.

Yisrael Kasirar, one of the soldiers who initiated the petition, told Ynet:: "Reserve soldiers feel solidarity with the substance of the petition and it's circulating among many of them who are willing to sign it. The signing is taking place despite the current conditions, where reserve soldiers are spread across various areas in the north of the country."

The petition reads: "We, reserve soldiers who were called up for emergency duty, view with severity the acceptance of the ceasefire agreement in its current format, as a result of the abandonment of the abducted soldiers. We regret the fact that the fog of battle blurred the original war objectives we were enlisted for and the IDF values we were educated on. We're determined to complete the mission until the return of the abducted soldiers."

Kasirar says his comrades and him are willing to continue with reserve duty for many days and not come home until the mission is completed.

"We were in Lebanon, we fought in the Marjayoun region, our friends were killed and wounded, and we feel that the war objective was not achieved," he said, and added that initiators of the petition intend to forward it to as many reserve troops, including those currently in Lebanon.
Posted by:Captain America

#7  There is no point in allowing the Shiites back south. The Israelis are just setting themselves up for a guerilla war. On the contrary, the Israelis should be deporting Shiites and bulldozing all signs of Shiite habitation until the hostages are returned unharmed and Hizb'allah disbanded.
Posted by: ed   2006-08-14 18:33  

#6  Anything silly happens across that border, those Soldiers are not returned, and Hizbollah is not disarmed - call up BiBi and Go to the Mattresses.
Posted by: newc   2006-08-14 18:22  

#5  Interesting. Oh, to be a fly on the wall of PM OLmert's office the next few days!
Posted by: trailing wife   2006-08-14 17:17  

#4  This war is far from over.
Posted by: DarthVader   2006-08-14 17:16  

#3  DEBKAfile: Hizballah is filtering reinforcements into South Lebanon among returning refugees. They are taking up positions in the still undamaged bunkers and fortified civilian dwellings

August 15, 2006, 12:01 AM (GMT+02:00)

Therefore, although the rockets and guns were silent up to Monday night and thousands of displaced people in Israel and Lebanon headed for their ravaged homes, DEBKAfile’s military sources report trepidation about the durability of the ceasefire. The tense calm was marred only by three incidents in which Israeli troops shot Hizballah fighters making threatening approaches after Israel ordered its ground, air, artillery and naval forces to hold their fire at 0800 Monday Aug. 14 – unless threatened.

Northern Israelis came out of their bomb shelters after 33 days, South Lebanese cars clogged roads heading south from Beirut Monday morning. Both met scenes of destruction. After night fell, Hizballah staged victory celebrations in Beirut, while its leader, Hassan Nasrallah proclaimed a “historic and strategic victory” over Israel.

The IDFÂ’s northern command watching the thousands of displaced Lebanese flocking to their homes feared they would be used as cover for Hizballah to exploit the ceasefire for reinforcing its depleted South Lebanese forces.

By afternoon, their fears were realized: cars loaded with Hizballah fighters, boxes of guns and military equipment were clearly visible heading south. Israeli troops were not authorized to stop them. DEBKAfile quotes a senior military source as saying that Hizballah is making a mockery of the ceasefire which Israel honored. “The situation is dangerous,” he said, Most of Hizballah’s fortifications, including its bunker network in the south, were not destroyed as reported. Fresh Hizballah strength is now heading back to man those war stations anew.

Earlier Monday, LebanonÂ’s Shiite parliament speaker Nabih Berrir asked for 48 hours to persuade Hassan Nasrallah to accept a new proposal for Hizballah forces to remain in the south with their arms as an auxiliary force attached to the Lebanese army units to be deployed south of the Litani River.

Israeli troops inside Lebanon will hold their positions until a strengthened international force and the Lebanese army are able to take over.
Posted by: Legolas   2006-08-14 17:14  

#2  I would be a lot more willing to believe all the analysts who are saying that the ceasefire is a victory for Israel if Israel had actually gotten her guys back. Isn't that what they went to war for? Until they are home, Israel has not succeeded, in my opinion.
Posted by: WhitecollarRedneck   2006-08-14 17:09  

#1  True men and brothers. I salute them for their courage and solidarity. Onward Hebrew warriors!
Posted by: Elmolutch Ebbeatle6080   2006-08-14 16:56  

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