Military officials presented Prime Minister Olmert with a plan that calls for the IDF to take control of southern Lebanon, all the way up to the Litani River (some 30 kilometers north of Israel). The objective: to obviate Hizbullah's ability to fire short-range Katyushas into Israel, even before a ceasefire goes into effect.
Intelligence community officials agree that bringing a total cessation to such rocket attacks will not be easy. IDF Northern District Commander Maj.-Gen. Udi Adam commented on Monday that Hizbullah’s arsenal is a formidable one. He said that while the ongoing military offensive is exhibiting signs of progress, much work remains to be done.
The Israel Air Force has dropped written announcements in southern Lebanon warning that any vehicle traveling south of the Litani River, some 30 kilometers north of Israel, will be bombed.
Defense Minister Peretz says that if current diplomatic efforts fail, he will move ahead with a more comprehensive military plan. He favors a broad offensive in southern Lebanon. Prime Minister Olmert, who has been more hesitant to give approval for such, did not rule out a change of heart in the coming hours.
In Gaza, Israel's anti-terror offensive continues, concentrating in the southern Gaza area of Rafah, where the army is searching for and destroying tunnels. Three Kassam rockets were fired from Gaza into the western Negev today; no one was reported hurt. Some 500 terrorists have been killed or wounded in the past month of fighting.
Intelligence community officials agree that bringing a total cessation to such rocket attacks will not be easy. IDF Northern District Commander Maj.-Gen. Udi Adam commented on Monday that Hizbullah’s arsenal is a formidable one. He said that while the ongoing military offensive is exhibiting signs of progress, much work remains to be done.
The Israel Air Force has dropped written announcements in southern Lebanon warning that any vehicle traveling south of the Litani River, some 30 kilometers north of Israel, will be bombed.
Defense Minister Peretz says that if current diplomatic efforts fail, he will move ahead with a more comprehensive military plan. He favors a broad offensive in southern Lebanon. Prime Minister Olmert, who has been more hesitant to give approval for such, did not rule out a change of heart in the coming hours.
In Gaza, Israel's anti-terror offensive continues, concentrating in the southern Gaza area of Rafah, where the army is searching for and destroying tunnels. Three Kassam rockets were fired from Gaza into the western Negev today; no one was reported hurt. Some 500 terrorists have been killed or wounded in the past month of fighting.