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| Syria-Lebanon-Iran |
| Israel hints at full-scale invasion |
| 2006-07-20 |
| Much old news deleted. Israeli troops met fierce resistance from Hezbollah Israeli warplanes also launched new airstrikes on Beirut's southern suburbs, a Hezbollah stronghold, shortly after daybreak, followed by strikes in the The strikes followed bombings Wednesday that killed as many as 70 people, according to Lebanese television, making it the deadliest day since the fighting began July 12. Israel's series of small ground forays across the border have aimed to push back Hezbollah guerrillas who have continued firing rockets into northern Israel despite more than a week of massive bombardment – raising the question of whether air power alone can suppress them. Guerrillas fired 25 rockets into Israel on Thursday, which caused no casualties. But the In another clash, just across the border from the Israeli town of Avivim, Israel has mainly limited itself to attacks from the air and sea, reluctant to send in ground troops on terrain dominated by Hezbollah. But an Israeli army spokesman refused to rule out the possibility of a full-scale invasion. Israel broadcast warnings Wednesday into south Lebanon, telling civilians to leave the region – a possible prelude to a larger Israeli ground operation. "There is a possibility – all our options are open. At the moment, it's a very limited, specific incursion but all options remain open," Capt. Jacob Dallal, an Israeli army spokesman, told The Associated Press on Wednesday. Leaflets dropped Wednesday night warned the population that any trucks traveling in Lebanese towns south of the Litani River would be suspected of carrying weapons and rockets and could be targeted by Israeli forces. The Israeli military said aircraft dropped 23 tons of explosives on what it believed was a bunker for senior Hezbollah leaders in the Bourj al-Barajneh neighborhood of Beirut between 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. Wednesday. Hezbollah said none of its members was hurt and denied a leadership bunker was in the area, saying a mosque under construction was hit. It has a headquarters compound in Bourj al-Barajneh that is off limits to Lebanese police and army, so security officials could not confirm the strike. Israel's U.N. Ambassador Dan Gillerman told CNN his country would not comment about the attack until it is sure of all the facts. But he added, "I can assure you that we know exactly what we hit. ... This was no religious site. This was indeed the headquarters of the Hezbollah leadership." Mosque. Terrorist HQ. The two are not mutually exclusive. On Thursday, Israeli jets struck houses believed used by Hezbollah officials in the town of Hermel in the western Bekaa Valley, wounding at least three. Israeli warplanes also destroyed a five-story residential and commercial building that reportedly once held a Hezbollah office in the Bekaa Valley city of Baalbek, a Hezbollah stronghold, witnesses said. There was no immediate word on casualties. |
| Posted by:Jackal |
| #3 Time for the Israeli leaders to send in some boots and kick serious butt. The Lebanese are most unlikely to do anything. And bad things may happen when Condi comes to town. Israel may get sold down the river on Hezb'Allan to get a resolution on Iran at the UNSC. Makew hay while the sun shines. |
| Posted by: Nimble Spemble 2006-07-20 13:37 |
| #2 Time to ask Lebanese leaders whether they are afraid of Hizb'Allah. Are their armed forces unable or unwilling to confront (and crush) Hizb'Allah in their own capital? |
| Posted by: Kalle (kafir forever) 2006-07-20 13:29 |
| #1 ..has a headquarters compound in Bourj al-Barajneh that is off limits to Lebanese police and army... Hence, pointing to the problem. |
| Posted by: Bobby 2006-07-20 13:09 |