"Israel did not "lose" the 2nd Lebanon conflict"
To lose is a hard thing to define.
Although Israel did inflict high casualties on hezbollah, Israel didnt retrieve the kidnaped soldiers, lost many more during the war, killed more civillians than it did combatants and lost alot of respect in the international community in the process. I would call that a loss.
Although Hezbollah sustained heavy casualties, it inflicted many casualties on the IDF (more than Israel is comfotable with). The war increased Hezbollah`s popularity, strenght, millitary competency and influence both within Lebanon and throughout the world. I`d call that a win.
And its these reasons Hamas is hopeing for a ground war. If Israel goes in, anything short of the complete annihilation of Hamas is a victory for them. And you cant defeat and ideology through force. |
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