Prime Minister Ehud Olmert during recent days has been holding high-level consultations, meeting with Defense Minister Amir Peretz, IDF Chief of Staff Lt-General Dan Halutz, members of the IDF General Staff and intelligence community officials.
On Monday, the prime minister accompanied by Peretz, Deputy Prime Minister Eli Yishai and Retiree Affairs Minister Rafi Eitan visited the north, meeting with some 30 officers in the Northern Command.
Olmert stated the current situation by which 1 million Israelis are living in bomb shelters is unacceptable and he is authorizing the military to do whatever necessary regarding this matter.
Military officials on Monday presented Olmert with a number of plans, including one that deals with the IDF taking control of the area of southern Lebanon south of the Litani River, a move intended to bring an end to the firing of short-range rockets. Intelligence community officials agree that bringing a total cessation to rocket attacks into Israel is not going to be an easy feat. IDF Northern District Commander Major-General Udi Adam on Monday commented that Hizbullah’s arsenal is a formidable one, stating that while the ongoing military offensive is exhibiting signs of progress, much work is left to be done.
Defense Minister Peretz stated on Monday the if current diplomatic efforts fail, he will move ahead with a more comprehensive military plan, signaling the IDF will be given a significantly broader approval, to operate in all areas of Lebanon against Hizbullah targets.
Army intelligence reports that Hizbullah long-range rockets can indeed strike the Greater Tel Aviv Area, with reports earlier in the war stating the longest-range rockets in the terror organization’s arsenal can also strike a blow to the capital, Jerusalem.
When the Security Cabinet convenes on Wednesday, approval for the plan south of the Litani is expected but a bolder military option, advancing forces north of the Litani, is not as likely to enjoy approval at this time.
Lawmakers aligned with coalition parties have already begun modifying their statements, now indicating they believe a solution to the problem can only be achieved diplomatically, stating there is currently no military solution to bringing an end to long-term rocket fire across Israel’s internationally recognized border.
With the international media focusing on French, US, and UN efforts towards an Israeli ceasefire, military commanders are seeking to advance infantry forces as far as possible before such a move becomes reality. The make-up of a stabilization force is a matter subject to controversy at present, with Lebanon remaining firmly opposed to a NATO type multinational force, demanding an expanded UNIFIL force in southern Lebanon. Lebanon’s parliament on Monday also announced its approval for the deployment of 15,000 Lebanese forces in southern Lebanon along Israel’s northern border, a first sign of Beirut’s willingness to comply with United Nations Resolution 1559.
Israel favors a multinational force in place of the current UNIFIL force, a force that has a mandate to act, not just an observation force incapable of dealing with the realities of southern Lebanon.
Fighting remains heavy in areas south of the Litani, with military officials reporting heavy exchanges of gunfire between Hizbullah gunmen and IDF forces in Bint Jbeil on Tuesday morning. There are reports of injuries among IDF troops.
Three IDF soldiers fell in the line of duty on Monday, one compulsory service soldier and two reservists, an officer of the rank of major and a soldier. Others were injured in the heavy fighting.
The air force during the night targeted over 80 objectives. The air force has conducted over 8,700 sorties since the war began almost a month ago, destroying many of the terror organization’s long-range rockets and launchers, admitting that targeting the Katyusha rockets and launchers is considerably more difficult, since they are mobile, capable of being transported on a pick-up truck or other vehicle.
In the meantime, rockets continue to pound northern Israeli communities despite ongoing IDF efforts. Former senior military intelligence officer Brig.-Gen. (reserves) Yaakov Kupwasser released a statement on Monday, indicating there is much work to be done before rocket attacks can be halted. “It’s not like ordering pizza,” stated Kupwasser, “it will take time,” he concluded.
On Monday, the prime minister accompanied by Peretz, Deputy Prime Minister Eli Yishai and Retiree Affairs Minister Rafi Eitan visited the north, meeting with some 30 officers in the Northern Command.
Olmert stated the current situation by which 1 million Israelis are living in bomb shelters is unacceptable and he is authorizing the military to do whatever necessary regarding this matter.
Military officials on Monday presented Olmert with a number of plans, including one that deals with the IDF taking control of the area of southern Lebanon south of the Litani River, a move intended to bring an end to the firing of short-range rockets. Intelligence community officials agree that bringing a total cessation to rocket attacks into Israel is not going to be an easy feat. IDF Northern District Commander Major-General Udi Adam on Monday commented that Hizbullah’s arsenal is a formidable one, stating that while the ongoing military offensive is exhibiting signs of progress, much work is left to be done.
Defense Minister Peretz stated on Monday the if current diplomatic efforts fail, he will move ahead with a more comprehensive military plan, signaling the IDF will be given a significantly broader approval, to operate in all areas of Lebanon against Hizbullah targets.
Army intelligence reports that Hizbullah long-range rockets can indeed strike the Greater Tel Aviv Area, with reports earlier in the war stating the longest-range rockets in the terror organization’s arsenal can also strike a blow to the capital, Jerusalem.
When the Security Cabinet convenes on Wednesday, approval for the plan south of the Litani is expected but a bolder military option, advancing forces north of the Litani, is not as likely to enjoy approval at this time.
Lawmakers aligned with coalition parties have already begun modifying their statements, now indicating they believe a solution to the problem can only be achieved diplomatically, stating there is currently no military solution to bringing an end to long-term rocket fire across Israel’s internationally recognized border.
With the international media focusing on French, US, and UN efforts towards an Israeli ceasefire, military commanders are seeking to advance infantry forces as far as possible before such a move becomes reality. The make-up of a stabilization force is a matter subject to controversy at present, with Lebanon remaining firmly opposed to a NATO type multinational force, demanding an expanded UNIFIL force in southern Lebanon. Lebanon’s parliament on Monday also announced its approval for the deployment of 15,000 Lebanese forces in southern Lebanon along Israel’s northern border, a first sign of Beirut’s willingness to comply with United Nations Resolution 1559.
Israel favors a multinational force in place of the current UNIFIL force, a force that has a mandate to act, not just an observation force incapable of dealing with the realities of southern Lebanon.
Fighting remains heavy in areas south of the Litani, with military officials reporting heavy exchanges of gunfire between Hizbullah gunmen and IDF forces in Bint Jbeil on Tuesday morning. There are reports of injuries among IDF troops.
Three IDF soldiers fell in the line of duty on Monday, one compulsory service soldier and two reservists, an officer of the rank of major and a soldier. Others were injured in the heavy fighting.
The air force during the night targeted over 80 objectives. The air force has conducted over 8,700 sorties since the war began almost a month ago, destroying many of the terror organization’s long-range rockets and launchers, admitting that targeting the Katyusha rockets and launchers is considerably more difficult, since they are mobile, capable of being transported on a pick-up truck or other vehicle.
In the meantime, rockets continue to pound northern Israeli communities despite ongoing IDF efforts. Former senior military intelligence officer Brig.-Gen. (reserves) Yaakov Kupwasser released a statement on Monday, indicating there is much work to be done before rocket attacks can be halted. “It’s not like ordering pizza,” stated Kupwasser, “it will take time,” he concluded.