Who won the War? Israel or Hizbullah
The implications of the UN Resolution
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JoeUser Forums
Israel's stated objectives in the just concluded war against Lebanon was (a) degrade the military capability of the Hizbollah and (2) secure the release of the two soldiers captured in the run up to the conflict five weeks ago. After launching a most savage and unrestrained attack on the civilian population of Souther Lebanon, Beirut and Tyre along with Sidon Isreal has had to concede defaeat in that both these objectives reamined beyound realisation. Of course, this has not been a victory for Hizbollah, but it has eemerged from the war relatively stronger and its political legitimacy enhanced by the ferocious manner in which its fighters took on the Israeli Defence Force. The dream of the Olmert regime of using the so called war on terror in order to receate a "new middle east" remains a destant chimera. In fact, the UN must have included a punitive caluse to hold the Israeli cabinet particularly Olmert responsible for the unprecedented destruction of civilian infrastructure, lives and property. There was a sound case for war crimes trial against the Israeli leadership which was lost because thr US did not want a precedent that would be used against it especially that its own conduct of the Iraqi war has not been very civilised.
The Hizbollah has succeeded in exposing the myth of the invincibility of the IDF. A rag tag group of fighters were able to take on a modern army equipped with the top of the lone firepower by the USA. The neo conservative new order in the middle east has now been put into disarray . The IDF has been trained to fight the Arab Israeli wars of 1967 and 1973. It has not been able to prevail in the new kind of war theat the Hizbollah has waged. The Israeli forces in its push to the River Litani lost over 100 men and by Israeli standards this is a huge loss.
The Israeli strategy of using the "shock and awe" bombing raids of the USA has cost over 1200 lives in Lebanon. The new generation which had come of age in the 1990's has now been completely radicalised and the support for the Hisbollah is at an all time high in Lebanon. Instead of degrading the Hizbollah, the Israelis have actually upgraded the Hizbollah.
Resolution 1701 passed by the uN reflects the political support extended by the USa to Israel. The ground politcal and military realities are far different. The UNIFIL now has an extended mandate to monitor the ceasefire. It is yet to be seen if NATO forces are deployed south of the Litani river. Any deployment will have to recognise the fact that the Hizbollah retains theatre dominance in the southern part of Lebanon.
The resolution is vague over the issue of Shebaa Farms. But still let us hope peace will prevail.
The Hizbollah has succeeded in exposing the myth of the invincibility of the IDF. A rag tag group of fighters were able to take on a modern army equipped with the top of the lone firepower by the USA. The neo conservative new order in the middle east has now been put into disarray . The IDF has been trained to fight the Arab Israeli wars of 1967 and 1973. It has not been able to prevail in the new kind of war theat the Hizbollah has waged. The Israeli forces in its push to the River Litani lost over 100 men and by Israeli standards this is a huge loss.
The Israeli strategy of using the "shock and awe" bombing raids of the USA has cost over 1200 lives in Lebanon. The new generation which had come of age in the 1990's has now been completely radicalised and the support for the Hisbollah is at an all time high in Lebanon. Instead of degrading the Hizbollah, the Israelis have actually upgraded the Hizbollah.
Resolution 1701 passed by the uN reflects the political support extended by the USa to Israel. The ground politcal and military realities are far different. The UNIFIL now has an extended mandate to monitor the ceasefire. It is yet to be seen if NATO forces are deployed south of the Litani river. Any deployment will have to recognise the fact that the Hizbollah retains theatre dominance in the southern part of Lebanon.
The resolution is vague over the issue of Shebaa Farms. But still let us hope peace will prevail.
