These are just the opening salvos in what, if Israel is smart, will be at the very least the complete destruction of Hezbollah’s leadership:
“Hezbollah’s secretary-general, family and bodyguards are safe and sound,” a Hezbollah statement said. Nasrallah’s residence and office were destroyed in the attack.It gave no word on casualties in the latest of several raids on Hezbollah’s stronghold of Haret Hreik.
In a speech aired live shortly after the attack, Nasrallah said the group would strike deeper inside Israel, which it charged with launching the operation in Lebanon to avenge its failure in preventing the abduction and killing of its soldiers by Hezbollah earlier in the week.
Hezbollah would also strike “beyond Haifa and what is beyond, beyond Haifa,” Nasrallah said. He made reference to a new strike on an Israeli naval boat in Lebanese waters. The warship was lightly damaged in the strike, and there were no injuries, the IDF said.
“You wanted an open war and we are ready for an open war,” the Hezbollah leader said. “You have chosen an all-out war with a nation which… has the capability, the experience and the courage.”
But amazingly, if reports are to be believed, Israel is going out of it’s way to make Hezbollah leaders feel secure:
IDF relaying message to Hizbullah, not interested in assassinations.Israel Defense Forces Chief of the General-Staff Lit-Gen. Dan Halutz said Friday that Israel is not interested in assassinating personalities but in sending a message to Hizbullah.
You’d think that, even if Israel had decided internally that assassinations were not on the table, they’d want to keep their enemies off balance. Sending them personal assurances is completely self-defeating and I can’t come up with an explanantion for this move that makes sense.
A reader comments:
The problem is that Hezbollah leaders sit in Lebanese parliament. I believe that after attacks at Hamas’s “politicians” Israel tries at this point to avoid attacking Hezbollah’s “politicians”. They try to weaken Hezbollah and finally to force Lebanon to disarm them by themselves.
That makes some sense but why telegraph it? I can think of more constructive ways of appealing to the moderates in Lebanon.
There’s a service I promoted quite heavily years ago (Micheal Totten even wrote about it) when it launched. It allows you to send pizza and burgers to the IDF. This seems like a good time to plug them again. Check it out.
Also Blogging:
Threats Watch
Michelle Malkin
Protein Wisdom
Cox and Forkum
21 Responses
Readers are solely responsible for the comments they post. Comments do not necessarily reflect the opinion or approval of Blogs of War or John Little.
July 14th, 2006 at 7:07 pm
HEAT’S ON HEZBOLLAH
***update: check out video of Israel’s UN ambassador Dan Gillerman confronting Palestinian ambassador…Blogs of War looks closer…*** Fox News reporting: Israel targets Hezbollah headquarters. Nasrallah inside the building? Hope so. Update: Reports …
July 14th, 2006 at 7:22 pm
The problem is that Hezbollah leaders sit in Lebanese parliament. I believe that after attacks at Hamas’s “politicians” Israel tries at this point to avoid attacking Hezbollah’s “politicians”. They try to weaken Hezbollah and finally to force Lebanon to disarm them by themselves.
July 14th, 2006 at 7:40 pm
We agree on many things.
We need to ask, “What would Tony Soprano do?”
That only leaves one option. CRUSH the opposition in the most brutal manner possible. This is war! They have an option of seeing the blood of their nation slowly seep into the battlefield over a period of years or they can wipe out all thoughts in the enemy’s mind that they can compete on the battlefield.
July 14th, 2006 at 7:46 pm
Israel Continues the Fight with Lebanon
Isreal destroyed the home and office of Hezbollah’s leader Friday. They also dropped bombs on roads as well as the Beirut international airport.
July 14th, 2006 at 9:23 pm
Israeli Jets Strike Hezbollah Targets in Southern Beirut
this is quite something…
July 14th, 2006 at 9:32 pm
Israel at War
IDF bombs Hizbullah anti-aircraft missile base
The IDF continued its bombardment of southern Lebanon on Friday afternoon, bombing two bridges over the Hazharani river as well as a Hizbullah anti-aircraft missile base and a fuel depot in Talusia.
Earl…
July 22nd, 2006 at 5:19 pm
See what Ralph Peters writes today in the NY POST:
A U.S. government official put it to me this way: “Israel’s got the clock, but Hezbollah’s got the time.” The sands of the hourglass favor the terrorists – every day they hold out and drop more rockets on Israel, Hezbollah scores a propaganda win.
All Hezbollah has to do to achieve victory is not to lose completely. But for Israel to emerge the acknowledged winner, it has to shatter Hezbollah. Yet Israeli miscalculations have left Hezbollah alive and kicking.
July 28th, 2006 at 10:09 pm
this is affecting everyone …
Mideast War Has Affected Pilgrimages of Those of Many Faiths
August 4th, 2006 at 9:55 pm
Hezbollah Launches Deep Rocket Strike on Israel
hopefully there will be peace one day
August 4th, 2006 at 9:56 pm
yah an look what they just did to Israel
Hezbollah Launches Deep Rocket Strike on Israel
August 11th, 2006 at 10:00 pm
totally insane stuff
Major Alaskan Oil Field Could Remain Shut Down for Weeks, Months
August 18th, 2006 at 7:26 pm
Gas Prices Are Fueling Midterm Political Races
I am not thrilled will this – cause there are bigger issues
August 18th, 2006 at 7:26 pm
this will influenec the elections
Gas Prices Are Fueling Midterm Political Races
August 25th, 2006 at 9:50 pm
12 Passengers Arrested After Flight to India Returns to Amsterdam
man oh man the air ain’t so safe anymore
September 1st, 2006 at 9:07 pm
Iran Defies U.N. Deadline to End Uranium Enrichment Program
QUITE UNREAL IF YOU ASDK ME
September 15th, 2006 at 9:18 pm
this is insane
Bush Battles to Get ‘Tools Needed’ to Interrogate, Try Suspected Terrorists
October 6th, 2006 at 8:07 pm
Renewed Activity Seen at Suspected North Korea Test Sites, U.S. Intelligence Says
WHOA FOLKS THIS LOKKS LIKE WAR
October 20th, 2006 at 7:16 pm
see this is quite something
Bush to Meet With Gen. Abizaid on Iraq Tactics
November 3rd, 2006 at 6:37 pm
not so wonderful
Kerry Apologizes to Troops, Families for ‘My Poorly Stated Joke’
November 17th, 2006 at 5:38 am
what should be done
Four American Contractors Reportedly Kidnapped in Iraqi Convoy Attack
December 1st, 2006 at 6:02 am
so this is not too great
Whoa – British Airways to Contact Passengers After Traces of Radiation Found on Planes