Region | Palestinian Territories
Experts: Israeli failure behind capture
The Israeli military faced a verbal assault following Hezbollah's capture of two Israeli soldiers yesterday as Olmert sounded war drums.
- By Khalil Assali, Gulf News Report
- Published: 23:33 May 3, 2009
Occupied Jerusalem: The Israeli military faced a verbal assault following Hezbollah's capture of two Israeli soldiers yesterday as Olmert sounded war drums.
"The Hezbollah's capture of the Israeli soldiers is a complicated operation, which took a long time to plan by the Lebanese party," Aloun Bin David, an Israeli military analyst, said, adding that it was also "carried out in an unexpected site".
The Israeli Army did not learn a lesson from the abduction of the Israeli soldier, Corporal Gilad Shalit, in Gaza by Hamas, he alleged. "The army has even repeated the same mistakes," Bin David said.
Former Chief of the Israeli Army, Retired General Dan Sharon, said: "The Hezbollah's attack is a proof of Israeli military's failure and a painful slap on the military prestige enjoyed by the Israeli Army, which is considered Middle East's strongest army."
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, however, threatened an all-out war.
During his meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, Olmert said: "The Hezbollah's operation is not terrorist but is an act of war by a sover-eign country, and accordingly, the military response will be powerful."
Chief of the Israeli Army, Dan Halouts, added: "Israel will bring Lebanon to [what it was] 20 years back."
As security condition deteriorates, many leaders have called for self-restrain and negotiations. Ahmad Al Taibi, Member of the Israeli Knesset and member of the Arab Party, told Gulf News: "I call on Israel to start immediate negotiations with Hezbollah and avoid any military adventure."
Dr Azmi Bshara, head of the Arab Gathering Party, has "expressed fear that Israel may make what happened as an excuse to settle its scores with Syria".
"What Israel fears most is that Hezbollah may use its missiles that may reach the heart of Israel, especially... Haifa," said Akefa Adar, analyst from Haaretz.
Local councils in Israeli cities and villages have begun preparing shelters and stocking food and medicine. War is again in the air, six years after Israel withdrew from Southern Lebanon.
Share this article
Related Articles
Popular in News
News Editor's choice
-
A year after 173 defenceless people were killed
Mumbai itself is far from safe from another deadly attack, even though the level of security consciousness of the average Mumbaikar has been raised since 26/11
-
Nato supports Obama's plea
European and other allies to send around 6,000 troops to Afghanistan
-
Official confirms mayor is the suspect
Many witnesses have come forward, justice secretary says
-
Into an oasis of values
A place to snuggle in the warmth of old manners away from the bustle of city life
