Israel Updates: And The Fight Goes On

Yesterday we experienced some problems with the blogspot boys, and were unable to post all day. So we are going to make up for that a little today. First let me begin with a few links:

N.Z. Bear is the focal point for information coming from that region of the world. He has gathered a number of Israeli, Lebanese, and Palestinian bloggers that are reporting on the war over there. Word of warning to our regular readers who are trying to keep up with the comings and goings of information: While the bloggers are doing an outstanding job of keeping people up to date, they are presenting a lot of information.

Allah Pundit has done a phenomenal job of keeping up with the flood of news reports coming out of the region at Hot Air. As a matter of fact, Allah Pundit had this little tidbit a short time ago:

Foreign ministers of 18 Arab countries held an emergency summit in Cairo on Saturday over Israels expanding assault on Lebanon, but squabbles over the legitimacy of Hezbollahs attacks on Israel - including the capture of two Israel Defense Forces soldiers that sparked the 4-day battle - appeared likely to keep participants from reaching a consensus, delegates said.

The Saudi foreign minister appeared to be leading a camp of ministers criticizing the guerrilla groups actions, calling them unexpected, inappropriate and irresponsible acts.

Supporting his stance were representatives of Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Iraq, the Palestinian Authority, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, delegates said on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the talks.

Did anyone ever think we would see that day?

Also, Hugh Hewitt's longtime friend and resident expert on all things Israeli, Yoni Tidi is also keeping up with things. His new blog is on Town Hall, and it may take some time for it to load (because of the moderate bandwidth and the amount of hits he has been receiving), so be patient.

Arutz Sheva (INN.com) is an excellent place to get information. Right now they have on a possible cease fire from Israel if certain conditions are met:

Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi has submitted to the Lebanese government Israel's two conditions for a ceasefire: the return of the two captive soldiers heHezbollahbullah, and the distanciHezbollahbullah from southern Lebanon.

At least one Lebanese government member feels Hizbullah must be held accountable and act with Lebanon's interests in mind. Walid Jumblatt, the leader of the Druze faction in the Lebanese coalition government, said today, "One must not forget that Hizbullah works according to a Syrian-Iranian plan in one way or another. But I hope that Sayyed Hassan [Hizbullah chieftain Sheikh Nasrallah] has a margin of freedom allowing him to put the interest of Lebanon above the Syrian and Iranian interests."

Hizbullah is also a member of the Lebanese government coalition.

Some Arab countries, such as Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Abu Dhabi and others, have a measure of criticism of Hizbullah. A Saudi official mentioned Hizbullah's "ill-considered adventures, and other countries are known to agree - not yet publicly, however.

The Washington Post reports that the U.S. supports Israel's goal of eliminating Hizbullah, with the goal of "strangl[ing] the axis of Hizbullah, Hamas, Syria and Iran."

A cease fire only if the soldiers are returned and Hezbollah is removed from southern Lebanon. Does anyone else think that Hezbollah will thumb its nose at the offer? I know there were calls coming from Hezbollah for a cease fire on day two of this war--a sort of "We were not ready and we want a 'do-over'" sort of whining erupted from Hezbollah. But Israel rightly said no, and while I dislike the idea of them cutting off their attacks now, if that is the option they choose, then so be it.

But I doubt, very much, that the troops will be returned now. Iran and Syria have invested quite a bit in this little adventure, and I am positive both sides want to take Israel where she does not wish to go right now. I did not say that she would not; I said she does not want to. That is two entirely different things, and I want to make sure that our readers do understand that. Israel, if she wanted to, could go on for years at this sort of warfare, and waste little time in removing armies and navies.

Iran would be wise to remember that. While they may have a formidable ground army, their navy would be no match for Israel's, or at that point, our own. Yes, if Israel and Iran go toe-to-toe, we will be there. To that much, there is no argument. We--Israel and the United States--have a vested interest in making sure Iran does not rise to be a regional, contending power unless the mullahocracy is removed. Saddam's Iraq could never stay in the region as it was with its ties to Islamic fundamentalism. The new Iraq can, and will be a power in the region just as soon as it is up on its feet.

This war will do one of two things. Either it will serve to remove a major terrorist organization from the region, thereby hurting Iran by crushing its little terrorist army, or Prime Minister Olmert will treat this as nothing more than an adventure, and end all hostilities when Israel's soldiers are returned. As I stated above, I doubt we will see the return of these soldiers. It appears as though Syria, Iran, and Hezbollah--as their chief proxy--are not smart enough to save themselves further misery.

Marcie