Israel Seeks Hint of Victory--NYT

[spindrifter]

By STEVEN ERLANGER
Published: August 13, 2006

JERUSALEM, Aug. 12 — Israel’s move to greatly increase its ground forces in Lebanon a day before it is expected to accept a cease-fire has two goals: to damage Hezbollah as much as possible and to conclude the conflict with something that could be called a victory for an Israeli government under domestic pressure.

Having begun the war by proclaiming that the aim was the destruction and disarmament of Hezbollah, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert will be able to claim only that Hezbollah is badly hurt and, with the help of international troops, effectively restrained — even without the robust new international force or disarming of the militia that Israel initially demanded.

In this last army push, which many here regard as too late to make a big difference, Mr. Olmert wants to ensure that the Iranian-backed militia and its stockpiles are at least cleared out of southern Lebanon.

The hope is that inhabitants of the north will be able to return home or emerge from bomb shelters without the daily fear of rocket fire.

<more>

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/13/world/middleeast/13israel.html?