The IDF released a statement this morning ( hat tip Carl:
LAF Opens Fire at IDF Force on Northern Border
Earlier today during the mid-day hours, the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) fired at an IDF position along the Lebanese border in northern Israel. The force was in Israeli territory, carrying out routine maintenance and was pre-coordinated with UNIFIL. The border area is east of the Israeli town Metula. The incident occurred west of the internationally recognized "Blue Line" (the border between Israel and Lebanon) and east of the security fence, thus lying in Israeli territory.
The IDF force immediately returned fire with light arms at a force of the LAF, and the IDF also made use of artillery fire. Several minutes later an Israel Air Force (IAF) helicopter fired at the LAF Battalion Command Center in Al-Taybeh, damaging several LAF armored combat vehicles.
The IDF holds the LAF responsible for the incident that disrupted the calm in the region, and its consequences.
The IDF Chief of the General Staff, Lt. Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi arrived at the Israeli-Lebanese border, is following the events closely as they unfold, and is constantly holding situation assessment reports with the OC Northern Command, Maj. Gen. Gadi Eisenkot, as well as the Galilee Regional Division commander and additional commanders
The Israeli public in the Galilee region to carry on with their routine way of life.
Three Lebanese soldiers and a journalist were reported killed, but that has yet to be verified.
Since Lebanon's Army is intertwined and coordinated with Hezbollah's forces, this was likely a Hezbollah attack.
Which likely means Iran is involved.
More later.
This reminds of something I thought way back when Israel was fighting Hezbollah in Lebanon. Given that, as you point out, Hezbollah and Lebanon are intertwined. In fact, they are one and the same. As such, my initial thought was that Israeli objectives were to narrowly focused. Instead of focusing on only Hezbollah they should have declared war on Lebanon itself and treated it in much the same fashion that America and its allies treated Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan during WWII.
ReplyDeleteWere Israeli leaders and the IDF to determine such an action is needed they would be justified in doing so. Lebanon poses a far greater threat to Israel than Nazi Germany or Imperial Japan ever posed to America or likely ever could have posed to America.
Iran appears to be the chief supporter of Hezbollah in Lebanon. Hezbollah conttols Lebanon. In effect, Iran is the chief backer of Lebanon. Lebanon is attacking Israel. For all intents and purposes, Iran is attacking Israel. This is how Iran's supporters in the media say "Iran has never attacked anyone." Iran using proxies!!
Perhaps Lebanon should be bypassed and Iran should be attacked directly. America cannot do this. It doesn't have the military resources or enough trained pilots to defeat Iran's air defense system. The only country in the region who can do this is Israel. Should Israel opt for a military respone, America's best course of action would to get out of Israel's way and pray the Israelis are successful. Iran is an enemy of America. As such, we have a vested interest in Israel being successful but their is little to nothing we can do to offer material help to them at this juncture.
May God grant the Israelis success in this endeavor. Personally I really do wish they would get on with it. Taking out Iran will get harder before it gets easier. Time is of the essence here.