Israeli troops enter Lebanon

[cali]

Israeli troops entered southern Lebanon today after reports that Hezbollah guerrillas had abducted two Israeli soldiers along the border with Lebanon, according to the Israel Defense Forces. Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert declared the attack "an act of war," and vowed that the Israeli response "will be very, very, very painful."

http://www.cnn.com/

Depressing news. Looks like this mess could widen.

[leveymg]

1. '73-74 War happened during Watergate crisis. Never miss an opportunity.

History repeats again.

[Violet_Crumble]

2. Some scary words coming from the IDF....

Senior officers say that the Lebanese government is responsible for the soldiers? abduction. According to the officers, if the kidnapped soldiers are not returned alive and well, the Lebanese civilian infrastructures will be taken back in time 20 and maybe 50 years.

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/737744.html

How long will it take these guys to understand that making and/or carrying out threats against civilians like that makes them no better than the groups who do the same thing to Israel?

[pelsar]

3. there is a definitive lack of options...

the lebanese govt is very weak and has no control over S. Lebanon. the UN observers, do nothing at all, Syria controls to a certain degree Hizballa...iran also helps.

in essence there is no singular address outside of the Hizballa which like hamas hides behind civilians......Though if syria was hit, it might help or might not, Hitting Beruit miight encourage the lebanese army to go down south...but probably not....


hence the problem for israel is the same: they can attack at will, and any israeli response, whatever it is will be condemmed. Guess that makes the israeli soldiers sitting ducks....just waiting to be killed or kidnapped, while on patrol.


as for the comment, the IDF and govt is nt really concerned if what they do makes them better or worse...they want their soldiers back and the threats to stop (this is not the first time its been tried, but the first time in a long time they've succeeded)

[Warpy]

4. Both sides are wedded to the losing tactic of escalating violence

and what Israel especially doesn't understand is the decentralized nature of its "enemy." What they're seeing isn't a disciplined organization headed in Syria, they're seeing a bunch of gangs giving lip service to Hezbollah, headed in Syria.

Undoubtedly the slaughter on both sides will continue until either they are all dead or simply exhausted by bloodletting.

A pox on both their houses.

[TomClash]

8. See what I mean?

Attacking civilians even though SODIERS were abducted, rendering past DU "collateral damage" distinctions a farce.

SOLDIERS were abducted and the response is more comprehensive than if a five year old Israeli child had been killed.

[bemildred]

5. Olmert has to be about the dumbest SOB that ever lived. nt

[cali]

6. He certainly hasn't impressed me

but are you referring to a specific action such as Israel going into Lebanon?

[bemildred]

7. Everything since the young fellow was captured.

Up to then, he was not impressive. Now he is starting to look Bush-like.

[bemildred]

11. No disrespect to Mr. Feith intended. nt

[TomClash]

9. This conflict really has the potential to escalate

A worrisome development. Yet despite the threatening words, I suspect the Israeli response will be proportional here.

[High Plains]

10. Proportional? You must be kidding.

Attacking civilian infrastructure for hundreds of thousands of people in response to a skirmish with prisoners taken? The Israelis don't know what proportionality is.

[pelsar]

12. so out of curiosity...

specifically what would your suggestions be to the IDF to do?

[TomClash]

13. Lebanon is not Palestine

and Hezbollah is not the PA.