Israel OKs call-up of 30,000 reservists

[Jim Warren]

The Long War?

JERUSALEM -
Israel's government decided Thursday not to expand its battle with Hezbollah in southern Lebanon for now, but authorized the army to call up 30,000 reserve soldiers in case the fighting intensifies. Lebanese officials estimated a civilian death toll as high as 600.

With Hezbollah allies Iran and Syria reportedly meeting in Damascus to discuss the crisis, Secretary of State
Condoleezza Rice said she was "willing and ready" to return to the region to work for a sustainable peace agreement.
But President Bush suggested he would support the offensive for as long as it takes to cripple Hezbollah. He also sharply condemned Iran for its support of the Shiite Muslim militant group.

The callup signaled that Israel was settling in for a much longer battle than had initially been expected, one that could grow far bloodier if Israel decides its air attacks and small-scale invasion into Lebanon are not working and sends in thousands of more ground forces.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060728/ap_on_re_mi_ea/lebanon_israel

[uppityperson]

1. fuck. eom

[bemildred]

2. "in case the fighting intensifies"

Right. Purely a precautionary measure.

[mom cat]

3. I fear that this is going to be explosive.

[bemildred]

5. You don't usually mobilize 30K troops and then say "never mind".

I don't know about "explosive" other than in the bomb sort of sense, but it would get bloody; and there is a real risk of it spreading, so maybe you have it right. Not a pretty picture in any case.

[melnjones]

4. A couple thoughts...

Sending ground forces in should allow Israel to more accurately target Hezbollah and avoid mass civilian casualties. Personally I think they should have gone in awhile ago. If they had to bomb, they should have strategically taken out the main infrastructure and then sent forces in, not bombed the whole country to hell and back first. They have effectively strengthened the manpower of Hezbollah by pissing everyone off...they did Hezbollah's recruiting for them.

If Israel sent in ground troops with humanitarian aid, that might be a good thing on many levels. Doubt it will happen though.

Of course, the biggest concern in my mind is the simple fact that everyone would fear another long occupancy by Israel. Understandable fear...and if Israel is going to try NOW after the last two weeks of destruction to gain the trust of the Lebanese people that their purpose really is self-defense and not occupation, Israel is dellusional. Talk about doing stuff in the wrong order...

[bemildred]

6. This guy sort of agrees ...

Analysis / The alternative to Hezbollah may be occupation

"So, you don't want peace? You want war all the time?" asked a young Lebanese participant in a fascinating televised discussion Thursday night on Lebanon's LBC station. She was addressing a group of young men, some with shaved heads and short beards, dressed in the latest fashions and uttering nationalist slogans. She seemed to stand no chance. Only two of those men identified themselves as Hezbollah supporters; the rest, both Muslims and Christians, proclaimed the "need for unity."

A poll on Thursday confirmed what was apparent during the television discussion: Some 96 percent of Shiites expressed support for the abduction of the Israeli soldiers, as did 73 percent of Sunnis, 54 percent of Christians and 40 percent of Druze. Most of the participants in the poll felt that Israel will not be able to defeat Hezbollah.

---

The question now is whether it will be possible to obtain a declaration of intent from Israel and the United States. In short, will Israel agree, in advance, to withdraw from Shaba Farms, if Syria transfers an official document confirming it to be Lebanese, and if the Lebanese army deploys there in place of the Israel Defense Forces? Will Israel agree to negotiations with the government of Lebanon, and not Hezbollah, over an exchange of prisoners? These two issues are directly relevant to the way the results of this war will be viewed, because any declarations of intent on these points will be considered Hezbollah achievements.

On the other hand, if Israel decides that it can register achievements without cooperating with the Lebanese government - that is, without allowing Hezbollah any gains - it may find itself faced with Lebanese unity of the kind that it experienced during its years of occupation. In that case, Israel might find itself caught in a situation similar to the one it has faced in the territories since it chose to give up its partner: a direct, long-term occupation.

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/743948.html

[in_cog_ni_to]

7. The psycho, Nasrallah, said he will now move to PHASE 2 of this

open war. That means rockets to Tel Aviv. You don't want IDF to protect the country? What would YOU want the U.S. to do if Canada was bombing us? Do nothing? That would be the day. Most people in this country were in favor of going to Afghanistan because of 911. Why would Canada bombing us be any different? If the U.S. can protect itself, why can't Israel? We all support the Iraqis who are protecting THEIR country from our invasion. Why is Israel any different? Is Israel the ONLY country NOT allowed defense against people who want to destroy the country? This callup is to prepare for Nazrallah's threat.