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| Syria-Lebanon-Iran |
| Israel hopes Iran and Hezbollah get message of Gaza offensive |
| 2009-01-19 |
| In declaring a cease-fire Saturday in Gaza, Israel asserted that it had achieved its goals: hurting Hamas' military wing, discouraging rocket fire into Israel and cutting the flow of smuggled arms into Gaza. But Israel had a broader goal: sending a tough message to its arch-enemies Iran and Hezbollah. Israeli leaders say the pounding of Hamas dealt a blow to Iran, which Israel accuses of backing the Palestinian group, and to Hezbollah, the Shiite militia in Lebanon that fought Israel to a stalemate in 2006. "The operation proved again the power of Israel and improved its deterrence against those who threaten it," Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said. Nonetheless, as Gaza quiets down, Israeli security officials acknowledge that the wider conflict could escalate, as it plays out in secret skirmishes in the Middle East and beyond. For months, Israeli intelligence services have girded for a possible attack overseas intended to avenge the assassination last year of Imad Mughniyah, a Hezbollah warlord who was close to Iran. Israeli security officials say the threat has intensified as the Gaza bloodshed converges with the anniversary next month of Mughniyah's death, for which Hezbollah blames Israel. . . |
| Posted by:Fred |
| #1 Now, do not let the Chosen one spoil it. |
| Posted by: g(r)omgoru 2009-01-19 08:11 |