IDF plans attacks on key infrastructure in Lebanon

[Scurrilous]

<snip>

"The Israel Defense Forces plan to ramp up their offensive in Lebanon in response to Sunday's rocket attacks on northern Israel, which killed three civilians in Haifa and 12 reservists near Kfar Giladi.

A senior General Staff officer told Haaretz that for the first time since the fighting began, Israel plans to attack strategic infrastructure targets and symbols of the Lebanese government.

Other than bombing the Beirut airport to prevent arms transfers to Hezbollah, Israel has hitherto not targeted Lebanon's infrastructure, insisting that it is only at war with Hezbollah, not with the Lebanese government or people.

However, the officer said, "we are now in a process of renewed escalation. We will continue hitting everything that moves in Hezbollah - but we will also hit strategic civilian infrastructure."


http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/747070.html

[bemildred]

1. We really need a dick-waving smilie.

It's way overdue.
This asshole neglects to mention that this will do NOTHING to stop the rockets.

[whistle]

2. It’s weiji—danger and opportunity...Condi Rice on Tim Russett

[Double T]

3. Once again Israel is about to 'step over the line' and escalate the war

while a ceasefire is being negotiated. The destruction of Lebanon, its infrastructure and its citizens has nothing to do with Hezbollah and will only lead to many more deaths on both sides.

[damntexdem]

8. An illegal invasion, war crimes, intended destruction of a nation.

All excused by "Israel has a right to defend itself." Lebanon has no means to defend itself. And the U.S. supplies Israel with the means to destroy Lebanon. Forget Hezbollah -- this is aggression against Lebanon, and will likely lead to the theft of south Lebanon's water.

[Xeric]

4. "but we will also hit strategic civilian infrastructure."

I hope the apologists for Israel's recent policy read that and re-consider. This is what happens when you give one side a green light to commit war crimes. As America did in Iraq, so Israel is doing in Lebanon. You can not be against one atrocity without being against the other. This needs to end now.

[jpkenny]

5. What do they mean by "hitherto not targeted Lebanon's infrastructure?

Just plain lies that no one challenges? Water supplies, hospitals, roads, government buildings, major housing complexes, oil tankers...this is NOT infrastructure? Please explain. I think Israel is digging deeper and deeper into the abyss. Usually one falls into an abyss but Israel is digging into it.

[muriel_volestrangler]

6. I'm very disappointed in Haaretz printing propaganda like that

It has seemed to be a fairly factual paper until now, and willing to print Israeli voices calling for peace, or at least moderation. But this blatant lie from the IDF goes completely unchallenged in the article. They've bombed every single road going from central Lebanon to Syria. They bombed ports right from the start. They've bombed power stations and their fuel supplies.

[jpkenny]

7. Thanks, I thought it was just me not understanding...

[JackNewtown]

9. How can anyone support this?

It is a shame only 2 US Senators can speak out against this. No Israeli apologist can justify the targeting of basic civilian infrastructure, which if why none of them even attempted to do so in this thread.

The grip AIPAC has on Congress is sickening.

[breakaleg]

10. If they aren't targetting the infrastucture how do they explain Beirut?

That city is in ruins!!

[CHIMO]

11. A Timeline

Timeline: Lebanon conflict

July 12


July 13

July 14

July 15

http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/35772526-C1A8-4599-868C-E513C4F29C9B.htm

[Scurrilous]

12. Haaretz News Flash:

07:25 IAF strikes target bridges, roads, bunkers, rocket launch sites (Israel Radio)

07:23 In overnight raids, IAF hits 150 sites in Lebanon (Israel Radio)

06:05 IAF strike in Lebanese village of Ghazzaniyeh kills six family members (Reuters)




Israeli jets strike Hizbullah stronghold in Beirut

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3287452,00.html

Warplanes attack capital's southern suburb, as well as northeastern region of Baalbek in wake of group's deadly strike on Israel Sunday

<snip>

"Israeli warplanes attacked Beirut's southern suburbs at daybreak Monday, renewing bombardment of the Hizbullah stronghold a day after cross-border gunmen rockets killed 15 Israelis .

The sound of four loud explosions in a spate of 20 minutes from the southern suburbs and the roar of raiding jets shook the Lebanese capital. The missiles kicked up smoke and dust in the sky.

It was not clear what was hit in the four air strikes. South Beirut also was targeted by Israeli warplanes Sunday afternoon.

Early Monday, Israeli warplanes targeted a northeastern region that is a symbol of Hizbullah power, witnesses and the group said. At least four explosions were heard around the Bekaa Valley city of Baalbek, 100 kilometers (63 miles) north of Israel's border, witnesses said. There was no immediate word on casualties."

[Ghost Dog]

25. Good source for Lebanese rolling news flashes here:

http://lebanonupdates.blogspot.com/

eg. so far today:

Minute by Minute:: August 7
Source: Tayyar, New TV and other news sources

* 12:20 Two airplanes carrying number of Arab foreign ministers arrives in Beirut Airport
* 12:17 Israeli shelling on fields of Hanawiyeh
* 12:15 Israeli air strike on al-Housh near Sour (Tyre)
* 12:05 al-Jazeera correspondent: fierce battles in western and eastern districts of southern Lebanon
* 11:50 Concentrated Israeli air strikes on outskirts of Maifadoun and Shokeen
* 11:45 Three settlers injured in west Galilee as result of Hezbollah Katyousha rockets
* 11:42 Lebanese official statistics confirm over 1,000 Lebanese killed since start of Israeli aggression on Lebanon
* 11:41 Israeli air strikes on east and west Zotor and Maifadoun
* 11:40 Reuters: Hezbollah rockets today result in injuring at least 1 Israeli
* 11:34 Arab League secretary general Amr Moussa: Arab foreign ministers will discuss possibility of convening extra-ordinary Arab League summit
* 11:27 Concentrated Israeli shelling on al-Bayada – Ras al-Ain coast near Sour (Tyre)
* 11:25 Three Israeli air strikes on eastern hills of Baalbek
* 11:20 Warning sirens in northern Israel
* 11:16 Concentrated Israeli artillery shelling targets al-Taher and al-Dabsheh in Nabatiyeh
* 11:13 Hezbollah rockets land on Nahariya and Shlomi
* 11:07 Israeli army announces 3 Israeli soldiers and 4 Hezbollah fighters killed
* 11:00 Israeli air strikes at dawn on antenna on Mount Barouk
* 10:53 Israeli air strikes on al-Dabsheh hill overlooking Nabatiyeh
* 10:52 Israeli air strikes on al-Mahmoudiyeh, Dibeen, Harouf and al-Qulaiyaa
* 10:50 Israeli air strikes on al-Dalafa and on al-Sultaniyeh – Qalya main road
* 10:45 Israeli prime minister Ehud Olmert meets with Israeli officials to discuss expanding attacks on Lebanon
* 10:39 Israeli air strikes on outskirts of al-Habariyeh
* 10:32 Three Israeli air strikes on Litani River
* 10:29 Three Israeli soldiers killed in Bint Jbeil
* 10:27 Fierce Israeli shelling on Ras al-Ain beach
* 10:22 al-Jazeera correspondent: renewed Israeli air strikes and shelling on Sour (Tyre)
* 10:21 Israeli air strikes on Kafra targets houses and cellular base stations
* 10:19 Israeli air strikes on outskirts of Kfar Hamam and Halta near Shebaa Farms
* 10:09 Hezbollah states it has stopped Israeli troop advance towards al-Bayada
* 09:51 Israeli artillery shelling on Jabsheet destroys 4 buildings
* 09:28 Series of Israeli air strikes on Harouf triangle and inside town; casualties reported
* 09:18 Israeli air strike on Litani river near Dibeen
* 09:11 One person killed and 10 injured in Israeli shelling of al-Ghaziyeh
* 08:52 Israeli air strikes on residential buildings in Kfar Ruman
* 08:25 Israeli air strike on al-Ghaziyeh; casualties reported
* 06:10 Seventh Israeli air strike on Southern Suburb of Beirut
* 05:55 Eight family members killed in Israeli air strike on al-Ghassaniyeh in Saida (Sidon)
* 05:40 Hezbollah statement: 4 Israeli soldiers killed, including officer, in clashes on outskirts of Houla
* 05:24 Renewed Israeli shelling on Southern Suburb of Beirut
* 05:17 Israeli air strike on Southern Suburb of Beirut
* 03:36 Haaretz: Israeli army planning for strike against strategic infrastructure and Lebanese government symbols
* 03:32 Israeli air strike targets Moussaoui Establishment on Baalbek-Riyaq road
* 02:55 UN Security Council meeting: China and Russia want to include amendments to resolution to conciliate Lebanese position
* 02:30 Two Israeli air strikes on Hay al-Aasireh and 3 Israeli air strikes on Baalbek fields
* 02:25 Hezbollah in fierce battles for past half hour with Israeli forces that tried to advance towards Houla
* 02:15 Three Israeli air strikes on outskirts of Baalbek
* 01:47 Israeli helicopters circle repeatedly over al-Mahmoudiyeh
* 01:10 Israeli reserve troops announce 6 Hezbollah fighters killed
* 00:24 Syrian president Bashar al-Assad: UN resolution not stabilizing factor

[jseankil]

13. IDF plans attacks on key (civilian) infrastructure in Lebanon

A senior General Staff officer told Haaretz that for the first time since the fighting began, Israel plans to attack strategic infrastructure targets and symbols of the Lebanese government.

Other than bombing the Beirut airport to prevent arms transfers to Hezbollah, Israel has hitherto not targeted Lebanon's infrastructure, insisting that it is only at war with Hezbollah, not with the Lebanese government or people.

However, the officer said, "we are now in a process of renewed escalation. We will continue hitting everything that moves in Hezbollah - but we will also hit strategic civilian infrastructure."

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/747070.html

[Vincardog]

14. Oh I get it roads and bridges are not civilian infrastructure, I call

NeoConvict BS

[jseankil]

15. Hezbollah bought food from that store, bomb it!

but it's a supermarket for everyone...who cares, bomb it!

Israel lost this war, they can do nothing to win at this point. Hezbollahs popularity is growing daily.

[manic expression]

16. Ridiculous

there is not a shred of justification for what Israel is doing. I hope it is clear that they are unabashedly targeting infrastructure that civilians need, effectively and intentionally targeting the civilian population further.

All for self-defense, of course. :sarcasm: :puke: :eyes:

[daleo]

17. This is quite a thing to say:

If Hezbollah has not ceased its fire by this weekend, they added, the IDF will recommend an additional significant expansion of the operation, including the conquest of most of Lebanon south of the Litani River, including the area around Tyre, and a significant increase in air strikes on infrastructure targets. "It could be that at the end of the story, Lebanon will be dark for a few years," said one.

[Name removed]

19. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Erika]

18. Israel has sealed off all entry into Lebanon

They drop fliers to evacuate knowing they have destroyed the bridges and roads to evacuate. Very few hospitals are now operational because of Israeli action.

Paid for by the American taxpayers. Enough is enough.

[Endangered Specie]

20. "We will continue hitting everything that moves in Hezbollah"

I didnt realize Hezbollah was an actual landmass, hope they arent confusing it with a soverign nation that starts with L :sarcasm:

And people keep telling me the IDF knows the difference between what is Hezbollah and what is Lebanese.

[Kagemusha]

21. There's knowing... and there's caring.

nt

[Zhade]

22. "Other than bombing the Beirut airport to prevent arms transfers"

What a stupid rationalization - as if anyone is going to fly in arms with Israeli jets in Lebanese airspace!

How stupid do they think we are, anyway?

[w4rma]

23. Every single solitary powerplant in Lebanon has been destroyed.

How the !@#$ can they say they have "not targeted Lebanon's infrastructure"?!?

[muriel_volestrangler]

24. A real news story on the infrastructure, rather than Haaretz propaganda

Weeks of bombing leave nation in ruins

But Israel's bombing campaign has also reduced much of the nation's infrastructure to a shambles, setting back painstaking and costly reconstruction that had finally put Lebanon on a prosperous path after decades of civil war and economic stagnation. Bridges, seaports, fuel depots, and the nation's airports and ports, border crossings, and all the major national highways have been attacked, causing more than $2 billion in damage.
...
The hourlong trip down the coast from Beirut to Tyre now takes three hours through winding mountain roads, since the coastal road has been bombed so heavily it's impossible to drive. Bombing has destroyed 70 bridges, about one-fifth of the country's bridges and highway overpasses, according to the Ministry of Public Works.
...
Attacks have destroyed the fuels tanks of the Jiyye power plant outside Beirut, causing significant air and water pollution. The government estimates that 23 gas stations have been hit, prompting many more stations in threatened areas to close. Those gas stations that are still working are running out of fuel; with the borders sealed and the ports blockaded, only a small amount of gas is being smuggled in.

In the ports, warplanes hit the management buildings in Tripoli and Tyre and the Beirut lighthouse. Attacks have also destroyed television and cellphone transmission towers in different parts of the country.

http://www.boston.com/news/world/middleeast/articles/2006/08/05/weeks_of_bombing_leave_nation_in_ruins/?page=2

[cali]

26. Shameful

and utterly counterproductive. The IDF command is completely fucking mad. How anyone can justify this is beyond me.

[Matilda]

27. Nothing can justify their actions at all.

This will rebound on Israel in the future, and also on the U.S.

As if Iraq weren't enough, Bush's failure to restrain Israel - and he
is the only person who can - will come back to haunt the U.S.

It's a wicked and tragic misjudgment on the part of Bush, and if
anything more were needed to show his total incompetence, this is surely
it.

[EFerrari]

28. He's just invited destruction on American cities. I hadn't

thought of that.

[HuffleClaw]

29. "for the first time since the fighting began" ??? WTF???

what utter bullshit. they've been attacking 'strategic infrastructure targets' since this crap began. what bald-faced lies.

[The Stranger]

30. And the War Crimes keep on coming.

[Palladin]

31. Report: Israelis to hit civilian infrastructure, symbols of Lebanese

government.

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - The Israeli army plans to attack strategic infrastructure targets and symbols of the Lebanese government after Hizbollah rockets killed 15 people in northern Israel, an Israeli newspaper reported Monday.

"We are now in a process of renewed escalation. We will continue hitting everything that moves in Hezbollah -- but we will also hit strategic civilian infrastructure," a senior General Staff officer told the Haaretz newspaper.

It did not offer any examples of what symbols of the Lebanese goverment might include. -snip-

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
This pretty well speaks for itself. Green light in action. Source is reliable, Ha'aretz and Reuters.



http://today.reuters.com/news/articlenews.aspx?type=TopNews&storyid=2006-08-07T022150Z_01_L07722689_RTRUKOT_0_TEXT0.xml&WTmodLoc=NewsArt-L1-RelatedNews-4

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

32. I thought this war was against Hezbollah and not the civilians of Lebanon.

Is this is or this not a form of terrorism to strike against civilians?

[Palladin]

35. It is terrorism

nothing new there, but also a big middle finger to the rest of the world.

[greatauntoftriplets]

33. Haven't they been doing that already???

I thought that roads, bridges and fishing boats WERE part of the civilian infrastructutre.

:shrug:

[Kagemusha]

34. Source is reliable, but I smell a big bluff. Not that they wouldn't do it

but I mean, letting word out like this would seem to me to be calculated to put pressure for a surrender/ceasefire now without making the IDF have to.

[Palladin]

36. Pressure on who?

The Lebanese? Hezbollah? John Bolton?

[w4rma]

37. "everything that moves in 'Hezbollah'". The country isn't even Lebanon

anymore. They now refer to it as "Hezbollah".

[Jacobin]

38. .

[izzie]

39. Haven't they killed those 5000 terrorist yet?

At this rate Israel will be fighting 5 million. I guess it is like getting a fly off your head with a sledgehammer.

[Norquist Nemesis]

40. I expect Israel to arrest or kill the Lebanese politicans

that are Hezbollah. Same as they did with the Hamas in Palestine.

[whosinpower]

41. Getting desperate now - the adventure failed

Or is on the brink of failure. Hizbollah shows no signs of weakness or weariness, and the rockets are still flying.

Ramp up the civilian destruction to the point of Syrian and/or Iranian intervention?????
Because attacking the bodyguard has not brought out the master yet.....
And time is running out. International condemnation grows and diplomatic appeals are in the works. Israel may not gain anything at the end of this. And she has surely lost a great deal of credibility.

Now it begins to get real dicey. If Israel withdraws, with Hizbollah nipping at its heels - Nasrallah will take that as a victory.....I don't know what consequences - but it makes me very uneasy.
If Israel stays--she faces ongoing war.
If Israel ramps up the military operation--she committs war crimes.(deliberate destruction of civilian infrastructure is forbidden by international law)

See how quickly war becomes a no win situation?
The only option is for Israel to negotiate directly with Hizbollah.