“Israeli” Threats Replay
Mariam Saleh
Ever since the end of the 2006 summer war, "Israel" has been trying hard to find a spot of hope, and diminish the ridicule of history which will forever mark it with a devastating failure in Lebanon.
Lately, "Israeli" army Chief Gabi Ashkenazi has declared that "Israel" is ready to attack Hizbullah's resistance in populated areas. So, what else is new?
Timur Goksel Former UNIFIL political advisor in Lebanon who worked in that position for 20 years says tells us that these claims are part of "Israel's" military tactics. ""Israel" studied the 2006 war, and they know their performance was not all that good. They could not get by Hizbullah's village defense units, only two outstanding examples would be the battles of Maroun Al Ras and Bent Jbeil. The "Israelis" know they will meet the same in any future war, and they want to try and intimidate and threaten the villagers."
The villagers however don't seem intimidated yet. As you drive towards the southern border specifically to Kfar Killa you meet tens of people going the closest they can get to the barbed wire. Lebanese expatriates, foreign tourists and even travelers within Lebanon seem to enjoy sightseeing on the barbed wire while "Israeli" Hummer trucks pass by rapidly on the other side of the fence.
The "Israeli" tactic is obviously not working, yet statements by the "Israeli" official should always be taken seriously. Hizbullah official Dr. Hussein Rahhal says the claims reflect "Israel's" intentions of targeting civilians and even repeating new crimes against humanity as in previous wars. ""Israel" is clearly voicing its intentions of violating the rights of the civilians to be protected at times of war. The Lebanese government should take legal measures to try and condemn "Israeli" commanders for their clear intentions."
Earlier this month, the "Israeli" military published a series of aerial shots of south Lebanon showing what it claims to be Hizbullah's weapons depots in towns and villages near the border.
Although the UNIFIL has repeatedly stated that it does not take orders from the "Israelis", UN Secretary General Ban KiMoon seems to be the only side to take such claims seriously, apart from the US administration of course.
Four years have passed since the "seizing of hostilities" as it was called by the UN Security council, and the situation on Lebanon's southern border is generally calm.
Hizbullah has repeatedly declared that they are ready for any future defense, perhaps even more than they were in 2006. "Hizbullah has also studied the last war; I honestly have to say that I was surprised like the "Israelis" in the last war, and if I know Hizbullah well, because they always do their homework then they'll definitely be ready for a new round," Dr. Rahhal added.
But a fear of a new war doesn't seem to be on the minds of Lebanese southerners who say they would support Hizbullah's resistance even if they had to be the first defense line:
One owner of a cafe from Kraf Killa tells us that he would fight for the resistance and Sayyed Hassan no matter what:" these threats are not new to us, we will never leave our land, and my family and I would sacrifice our lives for the sake of the resistance."
Another family coming to visit for the summer from Sweden were all smiles when we asked them if they feared "Israel". The adolescent daughter says:" I think the "Israelis" are too scared to fight us."
Hizbullah Secretary General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah has constantly said Lebanon is always in a state of war with "Israel", and "Israeli" threats will not stop any time soon.
Despite being the most tense area in the region, Lebanon's southern border is now home to numerous tourist resorts.
Putting political worries aside, a nice cup of coffee on Lebanon's southern border with occupied Palestine will be just the thing, for now.
Ever since the end of the 2006 summer war, "Israel" has been trying hard to find a spot of hope, and diminish the ridicule of history which will forever mark it with a devastating failure in Lebanon.
Lately, "Israeli" army Chief Gabi Ashkenazi has declared that "Israel" is ready to attack Hizbullah's resistance in populated areas. So, what else is new?
Timur Goksel Former UNIFIL political advisor in Lebanon who worked in that position for 20 years says tells us that these claims are part of "Israel's" military tactics. ""Israel" studied the 2006 war, and they know their performance was not all that good. They could not get by Hizbullah's village defense units, only two outstanding examples would be the battles of Maroun Al Ras and Bent Jbeil. The "Israelis" know they will meet the same in any future war, and they want to try and intimidate and threaten the villagers."
The villagers however don't seem intimidated yet. As you drive towards the southern border specifically to Kfar Killa you meet tens of people going the closest they can get to the barbed wire. Lebanese expatriates, foreign tourists and even travelers within Lebanon seem to enjoy sightseeing on the barbed wire while "Israeli" Hummer trucks pass by rapidly on the other side of the fence.
The "Israeli" tactic is obviously not working, yet statements by the "Israeli" official should always be taken seriously. Hizbullah official Dr. Hussein Rahhal says the claims reflect "Israel's" intentions of targeting civilians and even repeating new crimes against humanity as in previous wars. ""Israel" is clearly voicing its intentions of violating the rights of the civilians to be protected at times of war. The Lebanese government should take legal measures to try and condemn "Israeli" commanders for their clear intentions."
Earlier this month, the "Israeli" military published a series of aerial shots of south Lebanon showing what it claims to be Hizbullah's weapons depots in towns and villages near the border.
Although the UNIFIL has repeatedly stated that it does not take orders from the "Israelis", UN Secretary General Ban KiMoon seems to be the only side to take such claims seriously, apart from the US administration of course.
Four years have passed since the "seizing of hostilities" as it was called by the UN Security council, and the situation on Lebanon's southern border is generally calm.
Hizbullah has repeatedly declared that they are ready for any future defense, perhaps even more than they were in 2006. "Hizbullah has also studied the last war; I honestly have to say that I was surprised like the "Israelis" in the last war, and if I know Hizbullah well, because they always do their homework then they'll definitely be ready for a new round," Dr. Rahhal added.
But a fear of a new war doesn't seem to be on the minds of Lebanese southerners who say they would support Hizbullah's resistance even if they had to be the first defense line:
One owner of a cafe from Kraf Killa tells us that he would fight for the resistance and Sayyed Hassan no matter what:" these threats are not new to us, we will never leave our land, and my family and I would sacrifice our lives for the sake of the resistance."
Another family coming to visit for the summer from Sweden were all smiles when we asked them if they feared "Israel". The adolescent daughter says:" I think the "Israelis" are too scared to fight us."
Hizbullah Secretary General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah has constantly said Lebanon is always in a state of war with "Israel", and "Israeli" threats will not stop any time soon.
Despite being the most tense area in the region, Lebanon's southern border is now home to numerous tourist resorts.
Putting political worries aside, a nice cup of coffee on Lebanon's southern border with occupied Palestine will be just the thing, for now.
