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| Mofaz OKs Lebanon strikes By Hanan Greenberg Israeli Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz has approved a series of strikes in southern Lebanon in response to Monday’s large-scale offensive on the northern border that left 12 Israel wounded and five Hezbollah members dead. At this time, the IDF is not expected to offer massive retaliation and make do with air strikes mostly. During a meeting with security officials Monday evening called to assess the outbreak of violence, Mofaz said the latest escalation is a result of the pressure exerted on Syria over the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri, as well as international pressure on the Hezbollah. “The Hezbollah action is an attempt to draw Israel into an escalation and divert attention to our region,” he said. Mofaz also lauded IDF troops stationed on the northern border and said their “wise actions” thwarted an attempt to abduct soldiers. According to the defense minister, the Hezbollah operation was planned carefully and took a while to prepare. According to Mofaz, Hezbollah may attempt more attacks, including abductions of soldiers, in the near future. The minister instructed the army to remain alert and review procedures meant to foil abductions. Mofaz also called for action on the diplomatic front and asked that details of Monday’s Hezbollah offensive be relayed to the United States, Egypt, and the European Union, in an effort to prompt pressure on the Lebanese government to curb attacks from its territory. Mofaz also recommended that an official complaint be filed with the United Nations Security council. Meanwhile, IDF sources said Hezbollah ahs been facing heavy pressure recently aimed at ending its existence as an armed group. Accordingly, the Lebanese group is attempting to stir trouble in order to create legitimacy for its action through false claims, the sources said. IDF Northern Command Head Udi Adam confirmed that forces thwarted an attempted abduction and noted that Hezbollah used “all weapons available in its arsenal, including rockets, anti-tank weapons, mortars, light weapons, and sniper fire.” A senior IDF officer told Ynet Monday’s events show the Hezbollah is again spitting in the face of Lebanon’s government by “carrying out such operation on the eve of the Lebanese Independence Day.” ‘Elite Hezbollah unit’ Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Dan Halutz held a situation analysis meeting in the wake of Monday’s clashes, described as the worst outbreak of violence on the northern border since the IDF's exit from Lebanon over five years ago. Despite the large number of injuries, the IDF concluded that the attack was thwarted, and Hezbollah's original plan to kidnap IDF soldiers on the Israeli side of the village of Rajar was prevented. Hezbollah apparently sent an elite unit that was engaged in through training before the mission and was equipped with a range of advanced weapons. At the same time, a stern message was conveyed to Syria for its role in Hezbollah's aggression. Sources in Israel have repeatedly pointed an accusing finger at Lebanon, and describe the incident as "a hostile war operation by the state of Lebanon against the State of Israel." Israeli security officials believe Lebanon is displeased with Hezbollah's attack and is not interested in regional escalation. The United States on Monday condemned Hezbollah's rocket
attacks against Israel, but also urged Israel to exercise restraint in its response.
"We have made it very clear to the Lebanese government that they need to control the
situation in southern Lebanon," State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said. |
