Newsgroup: it.politica.internazionale
Titolo: IL: Security cabinet decides against expanding Lebanon operation

Security cabinet decides against expanding Lebanon operation 
 
By Amos Harel and Aluf Benn, Haaretz Correspondents, Haaretz Service and
Agencies 
 
The security cabinet, headed by Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, decided
Thursday morning against expanding the Israel Defense Forces operation in
southern Lebanon, Israel Radio reported.
The discussion came a day after nine IDF troops were killed in fierce
battles with Hezbollah in the area. 
During the meeting, Olmert said the goals of Israel's 17-day offensive are
being met, the radio said. The ministers also decided to call up
additional reserves to refresh troops in Lebanon, it added.
 
 
"It was decided to continue the offensive with the same strategy, using
pinpointed ground incursions and air strikes, not to bring in massive
forces," said a source om Jerusalem. "At the moment the army is not bound
by time, it can act as long as needed."
Olmert convened a late-night meeting Wednesday with the "group of seven" -
ministers who form part of the security cabinet - to discuss options and
exchange views about the continuation of the operation in view of the
rising casualties in battles against Hezbollah and the continued Katyusha
rocket attacks against northern Israel.
Senior military personnel requested a widespread call-up of reserve
soldiers for a two-month long ground operation to "cleanse" the area south
of the Litani River of Hezbollah infrastructure.
A more daring operation was proposed by Mossad chief Meir Dagan.
Defense Minister Amir Peretz said during the Wednesday meeting that he
favors continuing the operation in Lebanon, but opposes expanding it or an
extensive call up of reserve troops.
The army's proposals were met with mixed responses by the ministers. "The
military must present accomplishments," participants said. A senior
minister stated that, "The main problem is the lack of defense leadership."
Officials have expressed concerns that expanding the operation would be
misinterpreted by Syria as preparation for an attack against it, even
though Israel has repeatedly stated that it has no plans against Damascus.
A number of ministers were expected Thursday to express bitter criticism
of the handling of the war in the north, including its aims and the nature
of the ground operations - particularly following the heavy casualties
Wednesday.
Olmert ended the meeting at 1:30 A.M. Wednesday, saying, "I'm tired. I
didn't sleep at all last night." But the ministers protested. "You
summoned us. Let us talk," they said.
No decisions were made at the Wednesday meeting, but it served as an
opportunity for the ministers to voice their opinions. 
Vice Premier Shimon Peres said Israel must decide whether to end the
fighting and negotiate the release of the abducted soldiers or fight
Hezbollah with all of the army's might.
Ministers taking part in the Thursday meeting were told that the Syrians
are on high alert, and fear an Israeli attack. Participants discussed how
to ease Syrian concerns and prevent an unwanted conflagration. Peretz is
of the opinion that a wide-scale call up of reservists would exacerbate
Syrian concerns that the operation is directed at them. 
The only participant who expressed support for an operation against Syrian
targets involved in the fighting in Lebanon was Public Security Minister
Avi Dichter, who said that before expanding the ground operation, Israel
must consider "the day after" and the goals it hopes to achieve.
It appears that the army is gradually moving away from its previous tactic
of raids targeting specific positions along the border, in favor of one of
capturing and temporarily holding a security zone whose aim would be to
push the rocket launchers further north.
This strategy will not completely prevent the rocket attacks, but it will
limit the scope of the threat against northern Israel.
A government source in Jerusalem said Wednesday night that the meeting of
the security cabinet was not meant to reach a decision, but to prepare for
the Thursday meeting. Until now, decisions have been made via limited
consultations between Olmert and Peretz.
The prime minister's stance received a boost Wednesday following the
conclusion of the Rome conference, which dissolved without a call for an
immediate cease-fire. This means that Israel has been given additional
time to carry on with its military operation in southern Lebanon, while
continuing to enjoy American support.
In parallel with the military operation, efforts will continue to forge a
diplomatic solution and that will include the deployment of a
multinational force in southern Lebanon, under a United Nations mandate.
Military sources claimed Wednesday that the IDF's current tactics are
having an insufficient impact on the Katyusha rocket launchers and expose
the soldiers to excessive danger. The criticism was mostly aimed at the
decision not to employ large ground forces in Lebanon, which would give
the IDF a significant advantages over a guerrilla force.
The sources also criticized what they described as insufficient
utilization of aircraft in ground support operations, because of concerns
that they might kill Lebanese civilians that did not evacuate target areas.
 
-- 
visitate 
http://www.comunisti-italiani.it/frames/index.htm
http://cubainforma.interfree.it/
il film sul 9/11 : 
http://www.loosechange911.com/
http://www.churchill-society-london.org.uk/Berlin.jpg
questo articolo e` stato inviato via web dal servizio gratuito 
http://www.newsland.it/news
 segnala gli abusi ad 
ab...@newsland.it

 multinational force in southern Lebanon, under a United Nations mandate.
Vedo arrivare sempre piu' rapidamente il momento in cui i paesi europei 
dovranno diventare anch'essi garanti della sicurezza di Israele.
A quel punto, ai primi morti europei per mano libanese-hezbollah, 
vedremo che fine faranno i discorsi dei nostri pacifisti e appeasers 
vari.
Aspettiamo qualche mese, e per buona misura mettimoci il petrolio a 100$.
Un pensiero cinico e crudele.
Am.

 Un pensiero cinico e crudele.
di un brit senzapallucce.
