Carl in Jerusalem paints a very negative picture of Israeli Prime Minister Olmert's handling of the situation in Lebanon because he took too little vigorous action too late to deal Hizbullah a fatal blow in the early hours following the initial Hizbullah attack that killed eight Israelis and where two other Israeli soldiers were taken into Lebanon. Half measures, and a continued reliance on the UN to resolve matters diplomatically continue to plague the Israeli Prime Minister, who even now thinks that the Security Council will resolve matters without the Israelis having to drive to the Litani River.
I think Olmert's reliance on the UN is completely misplaced, as is anyone relying on the French diplomatic efforts. When they think that Iran is a stabilizing influence on the region, you've got to get your head out of the sand and realize that the French have absolutely no idea what they're talking about, unless they happen to agree that that the Iranian idea of stabilizing the region means the annihiliation of all of Iran's enemies.
Indeed, the Israelis are holding off the Litani River offensive until after the weekend. Misguided doesn't even begin to describe this, as it telegraphs potential Israeli lines of advance to Hizbullah and gives them yet more time to prepare defensive positions. The whole idea of dealing with Hizbullah is to use speed to get inside Hizbullah's decision making ability and force them into making mistake after mistake. That's not going to happen if the Israeli politicians keep looking at the politics instead of fighting this war to win.
Bloggers to check in with for daily updates are Blue Crab Boulevard, Carl in Jerusalem, Israellycool, Dave Bender, Meryl Yourish, Euphoric Reality, Pajamas Media, Hot Air, Jameel at the Muqata, Greetings from the French Hill, R'Lazer, and Live from an Israeli Bunker. Check back with them regularly for updates.
UPDATE:
Nearly 750,000 trees have been destroyed by Hizbullah rockets that have not managed to kill or injure Israelis, or otherwise damage buildings or crops. Two more Israelis were killed - a mother and son - by those rockets. FM Livni calls on the UN to impose an arms embargo on Hizbullah. I'd expand that to include Syria and Iran, since that's where Hizbullah is getting those weapons, who themselves are obtaining the weapons from Russia and China. I'd also want to see the Syrian border with Lebanon sealed off. That's how Hizbullah continues to get its weapons and personnel resupplied.
The Israel/Egypt border has been sealed off because of an increased terror threat. Again.
We're not just talking about Hizbullah fighting Israel, but Iran. Do not forget.
UPDATE:
So, this is what the diplomats have come up with. Phased withdrawal/ceasefire of Israeli forces from South Lebanon, an arms embargo but no disarmament of Hizbullah. This is what the UN thinks will work to eliminate the ongoing terror threat posed by Hizbullah? These diplomats better start sharing their stash because they've got some serious wacky weed going there.
Not a single word of this so called draft actually improves Israel's security posture one whit. Israel still faces Hizbullah attacks. Hizbullah maintains their presence and weapons. The international force is toothless to disarm Hizbullah, and someone thinks this is a good idea?
Well, I know who'd think this is an excellent idea - Ahmadinejad and Nasrallah - the two instigators of this war. Assad couldn't be reached for comment because he's too busy checking to see what Ahmadinejad and Nasrallah had to say.
Predictably, the IDF is 'disappointed'. I'd suggest completely and utterly pissed off. Politics is trumping better judgment to destroy Hizbullah's capabilities to kill Israelis.
Technorati: terrorism, fatah, Gilad, Shalit, Olmert, Eliyahu, Asheri, Ashri, Abbas, Rains, Summer, cavaliers, wrath, PRC, Hamas, Gaza, palestinian, Israel, hizbullah, hezbullah, hezbollah, lebanon, syria.
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