A draft proposal prepared over the weekend was rejected by Lebanon, with Beirut unwilling to accept a clause that would give Israel the right to respond to Hizbullah attacks. The objectionable clause was implemented following American demands, an effort to amend a more one-sided French ceasefire proposal.
While France is seeking to play a leading role in a multinational stabilization force in southern Lebanon, Paris has indicated there would be no such force until such time Israel implements a ceasefire. The French position is supported by the United Nations, demanding a ceasefire prior to the arrival of any multinational force. America has already announced US troops would not take part in such a force.
Israel last week was pushing for acceptance of a continuation of the anti-Hizbullah offensive until such time the multinational force arrives in the region. Defense Minister Amir Peretz and others explained that there is no alternative, explaining IDF soldiers must maintain their position in southern Lebanese villages until a stabilization force arrives, adding that if IDF soldiers are withdrawn, Hizbullah will once again move in ahead of the arrival of the multinational force.
IDF troops before the weekend were in control of some 20 villages, as the army slowly begins re-establishing the security zone that was abandoned by Israel in May 2000, when then Prime Minister Ehud Barak ordered a unilateral retreat from southern Lebanon.
ISRAEL NOW WILLING TO ACCEPT UNIFIL
In another compromise move, Israel over the weekend has withdrawn demands for a multinational force, signaling a willingness to permit the current United National Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) to remain, extending its mandate and increasing the size of the current force.
Jerusalem was originally opposed to such a move, demanding a multinational force, drawing a comparison to the NATO force in Kosovo. Olmert recently stated that multinational army forces are required; a force with a mandate to act against Hizbullah, stating UNIFIL has proven ineffective. Seemingly beginning to buckle under international pressure, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert may accept the UN force, despite earlier statements that the force is not capable of fulfilling the task of preventing future Hizbullah operations against Israel.
Heavy Fighting Continues
Some 10,000 IDF infantry soldiers continue operating in southern Lebanon, along with armored units, combat engineers and others specialized forces. Fighting continues to be heavy, and three soldiers were killed on the Sabbath and some 20 injured. A number of soldiers were killed in southern Lebanon, Corporal (reserves) Kiril Kasdan, 26, from Haifa, captain (reserves) Dr. Igor Rothstein, 34, from Poriah near Tiberias, and Staff-Sergeant Or Shachar, 22, from Kibbutz Yad Mordechai, a compulsory service soldier. An anti-tank rocket was fired at his vehicle. Two other soldiers were also killed in Friday’s fighting.
One of the soldiers injured was reported in serious/stable condition in Nahariya Hospital on Saturday night.
Four Civilians Killed as a Result of Rocket Attacks
Sabbath rocket attacks claimed four civilian lives, a mother and her two daughters, and a senior citizen, who died of a heart attack.
Despite aggressive air force bombing raids, targeting Hizbullah objectives throughout areas of Lebanon, heavy rocket attacks continue. On Saturday, during a 90-minute period, 120 rockets fell in northern Israeli areas.
Despite ongoing air force efforts to eliminated long-range rocket launchers, on Friday night, rockets struck the Hadera area, marking yet another escalation in the war. Realizing Hizbullah appears willing to strike deeper into Israel, Tel Aviv City Hall on Friday instructed residents to ensure bomb shelters are cleaned and prepared for use should Homefront Command officials order Greater Tel Aviv area residents into shelters. Despite the warning call, city officials are urging residents to continue with ‘life as usual,’ while remaining attentive to radio broadcasts and information messages.
Rockets Attacks From Gaza Continue
The IDF is also continuing counter-terror efforts on the southern front, working to halt Kassam rocket attacks into the Sderot and western Negev areas. The latest attack came on Saturday night, when at least one rocket landed in an open field near Kibbutz Nir Am.
Soldiers last week eliminated a number of terrorists in the Rafiah area of southern Palestinian Authority (PA) controlled Gaza, and attacks against Hamas positions in northern Gaza continue as well.
In a related matter, Hamas officials over the weekend rejected a Red Cross demand to permit a representative to visit captive soldier Gilad Shalit, who has been in Hamas hands since June 25th, when he was taken hostage during a multi-pronged terror attack in the Kerem Shalom area.
Cabinet to Convene on Sunday
While the cabinet is scheduled to convene for its weekly meeting on Sunday morning, at which time ministers will be briefed on the situation, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert met on Saturday night with members of his Security Cabinet, seeking to establish a position regarding the continuation of the military operation ahead of the cabinet meeting.
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Defense Minister Amir Peretz are reportedly at odds regarding the continuation of Operation Change of Direction, with the prime minister looking to halt the advance of troops. Peretz on the other hand seems to favor a continued military advance towards the Litani River.
The IDF continues to warn residents of southern Lebanon to move northward, north of the Litani, dropping leaflets into villages announcing aerial bombardments against Hizbullah in the area villages would continue. IDF intelligence officials last week showed videos and still photos proving Hizbullah continues to set up its operational base in civilian communities, using hospitals, schools, private homes and other civilian structures for cover while launching rockets against Israeli civilian population centers.
While France is seeking to play a leading role in a multinational stabilization force in southern Lebanon, Paris has indicated there would be no such force until such time Israel implements a ceasefire. The French position is supported by the United Nations, demanding a ceasefire prior to the arrival of any multinational force. America has already announced US troops would not take part in such a force.
Israel last week was pushing for acceptance of a continuation of the anti-Hizbullah offensive until such time the multinational force arrives in the region. Defense Minister Amir Peretz and others explained that there is no alternative, explaining IDF soldiers must maintain their position in southern Lebanese villages until a stabilization force arrives, adding that if IDF soldiers are withdrawn, Hizbullah will once again move in ahead of the arrival of the multinational force.
IDF troops before the weekend were in control of some 20 villages, as the army slowly begins re-establishing the security zone that was abandoned by Israel in May 2000, when then Prime Minister Ehud Barak ordered a unilateral retreat from southern Lebanon.
ISRAEL NOW WILLING TO ACCEPT UNIFIL
In another compromise move, Israel over the weekend has withdrawn demands for a multinational force, signaling a willingness to permit the current United National Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) to remain, extending its mandate and increasing the size of the current force.
Jerusalem was originally opposed to such a move, demanding a multinational force, drawing a comparison to the NATO force in Kosovo. Olmert recently stated that multinational army forces are required; a force with a mandate to act against Hizbullah, stating UNIFIL has proven ineffective. Seemingly beginning to buckle under international pressure, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert may accept the UN force, despite earlier statements that the force is not capable of fulfilling the task of preventing future Hizbullah operations against Israel.
Heavy Fighting Continues
Some 10,000 IDF infantry soldiers continue operating in southern Lebanon, along with armored units, combat engineers and others specialized forces. Fighting continues to be heavy, and three soldiers were killed on the Sabbath and some 20 injured. A number of soldiers were killed in southern Lebanon, Corporal (reserves) Kiril Kasdan, 26, from Haifa, captain (reserves) Dr. Igor Rothstein, 34, from Poriah near Tiberias, and Staff-Sergeant Or Shachar, 22, from Kibbutz Yad Mordechai, a compulsory service soldier. An anti-tank rocket was fired at his vehicle. Two other soldiers were also killed in Friday’s fighting.
One of the soldiers injured was reported in serious/stable condition in Nahariya Hospital on Saturday night.
Four Civilians Killed as a Result of Rocket Attacks
Sabbath rocket attacks claimed four civilian lives, a mother and her two daughters, and a senior citizen, who died of a heart attack.
Despite aggressive air force bombing raids, targeting Hizbullah objectives throughout areas of Lebanon, heavy rocket attacks continue. On Saturday, during a 90-minute period, 120 rockets fell in northern Israeli areas.
Despite ongoing air force efforts to eliminated long-range rocket launchers, on Friday night, rockets struck the Hadera area, marking yet another escalation in the war. Realizing Hizbullah appears willing to strike deeper into Israel, Tel Aviv City Hall on Friday instructed residents to ensure bomb shelters are cleaned and prepared for use should Homefront Command officials order Greater Tel Aviv area residents into shelters. Despite the warning call, city officials are urging residents to continue with ‘life as usual,’ while remaining attentive to radio broadcasts and information messages.
Rockets Attacks From Gaza Continue
The IDF is also continuing counter-terror efforts on the southern front, working to halt Kassam rocket attacks into the Sderot and western Negev areas. The latest attack came on Saturday night, when at least one rocket landed in an open field near Kibbutz Nir Am.
Soldiers last week eliminated a number of terrorists in the Rafiah area of southern Palestinian Authority (PA) controlled Gaza, and attacks against Hamas positions in northern Gaza continue as well.
In a related matter, Hamas officials over the weekend rejected a Red Cross demand to permit a representative to visit captive soldier Gilad Shalit, who has been in Hamas hands since June 25th, when he was taken hostage during a multi-pronged terror attack in the Kerem Shalom area.
Cabinet to Convene on Sunday
While the cabinet is scheduled to convene for its weekly meeting on Sunday morning, at which time ministers will be briefed on the situation, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert met on Saturday night with members of his Security Cabinet, seeking to establish a position regarding the continuation of the military operation ahead of the cabinet meeting.
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Defense Minister Amir Peretz are reportedly at odds regarding the continuation of Operation Change of Direction, with the prime minister looking to halt the advance of troops. Peretz on the other hand seems to favor a continued military advance towards the Litani River.
The IDF continues to warn residents of southern Lebanon to move northward, north of the Litani, dropping leaflets into villages announcing aerial bombardments against Hizbullah in the area villages would continue. IDF intelligence officials last week showed videos and still photos proving Hizbullah continues to set up its operational base in civilian communities, using hospitals, schools, private homes and other civilian structures for cover while launching rockets against Israeli civilian population centers.