Israel approves new offensive in Lebanon

[tocqueville]

By RAVI NESSMAN, Associated Press Writer
2 minutes ago

JERUSALEM - Israel approved a massive new ground offensive into southern Lebanon on Wednesday in a gambit aimed at bringing Hezbollah to its knees before the international community imposes a cease-fire, but disagreements emerged between the U.S. and France over terms for halting the month-old conflict.

The plan to force Hezbollah guerrillas — and their short-range rockets — out of southern Lebanon and past the Litani River would escalate the fierce fighting there and, if successful, leave Israel in control of a security zone that it evacuated six years ago after a bloody 18-year occupation.

But with Arab media reporting 11 Israeli soldiers killed Wednesday — in what would be the deadliest day for Israeli troops in Lebanon in the war — Hezbollah's leader taunted the Israelis.

"If you enter our land, we will throw you out by force and we will turn the land of our invaluable south into your graveyard," Sheik Hassan Nasrallah said in a televised speech. "We will be waiting for you at every village, at every valley. Thousands of courageous holy warriors are waiting for you."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060809/ap_on_re_mi_ea/lebanon_israel;_ylt=AuzZTMBdAyGn.Tsz5sp_VQ2BzdAF;_ylu=X3oDMTBjMHVqMTQ4BHNlYwN5bnN1YmNhdA--

[izzie]

1. For the life of me I just do not see how Lebanon can take it

I also recall other 'wins' other countries have had in some one else country and they often won the battle but they sure did not win in the long run. 50 years and Israel is hardly a foot more ahead than it was at the start. One wonders whats the point. Look at us in Iraq and Afghanistan. About time we all saw that these countries do not want us. England and Russia had the same trouble.

[muriel_volestrangler]

2. And they're off! "Fresh Israeli push into Lebanon"

Israel has begun a new push into southern Lebanon, after the cabinet decided to extend ground operations.

Armoured columns crossed the border under cover of intense artillery fire, media and eyewitnesses say.

However an Israeli army spokesman said operations would be limited to the current area of fighting with Hezbollah within a few kilometres of the border.
...
Tanks and troops crossed the border late on Wednesday to quell rocket fire from Khiam, a town that has already seen fighting, Israeli spokesman Capt Jacob Dallal told Reuters news agency.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/4778133.stm