Subscribe to Print Edition | Wed., July 23, 2008 Tamuz 20, 5768 | | Israel Time: 02:52 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Car Rental Books Haaretz Magazine Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

Last update - 02:59 21/07/2008 Israel to ratchet up effort to stop Syria-Lebanon arms smuggling By Barak Ravid Tags: Lebanon, Syria, Israel  Israel has gathered and conveyed to the defense ministries of European countries intelligence showing the increasing strength of Hezbollah in Lebanon, thanks to the arms smuggling that is continuing via Syria. Similar information was delivered to the United Nations during a visit to New York a month ago by Brig. Gen. Yossi Beiditz, head of research at Military Intelligence (MI). Israel is very frustrated, says a political source, because the phenomenon of arms smuggling is not sufficiently addressed in relevant UN reports, including the most recent one three weeks ago, nor is it fully acknowledged in European capitals - particularly in countries that are contributing contingents to the peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon. Israel has closely followed Hezbollah's rearmament since the signing of the cease-fire agreement after the Second Lebanon War, but last week became even more adamant about the need to put a stop to the arms smuggling. Advertisement Following a cabinet meeting on the subject last week, a decision was made to seek diplomatic means for bringing an end to this activity. Meanwhile, MI Chief Amos Yadlin warned cabinet ministers yesterday that there is a chance Hezbollah guerrillas may attempt a terror attack on Israel's northern front in the near future. According to Yadlin, Hezbollah views certain matters as unfinished business - namely, the disputed border territories of Shaba Farms and the divided village of Ghajar, as well as Israel Air Force overflights of Lebanon. Militants may use these issues as an excuse to carry out attacks, he said. Yadlin added that now that the prisoner exchange with Hezbollah has taken place, the defense establishment is concerned that the organization may embark on a calculated, escalated show of force along the Lebanese border, and try to disrupt the Israeli flyovers. Hezbollah secretary general Hassan Nasrallah declared last Wednesday that the group would now try to free the Lebanese land still occupied by Israel. "Our worry now is to free the rest of our lands ... protect our water and our sovereignty and our honor," he said, calling the prisoner release a victory for the resistance. Israel's Army Radio reported that Hezbollah also announced on Saturday that it would attempt to kidnap Israeli soldiers again, according to statements made by the deputy head of the Lebanese Shi'ite militia, Sheikh Naim Qassem. Meanwhile, a Kuwaiti newspaper reported last week that Hezbollah has deployed sophisticated anti-aircraft missiles in the mountains of central Lebanon, in order to threaten IAF flights. Hezbollah identified this aerial activity as its own weak spot: The IAF carried out attacks deep in Lebanon, and special forces reached the Lebanon Valley via helicopter. Bookmark to del.icio.us   Baptism by fire Bradley Burston offers 10 Mideast traps for Barack Obama to avoid. A second life 'Exodus' passenger makes aliyah six decades after being turned away.   1.   Hezbo excuses will never stop since Israel exists 07:22  |  Dan 21/07/08   2.   If the egomaniacs attack, it will be their undoing 07:25  |  Dan 21/07/08   3.   You know what the problem is 09:25  |  Guy From NYC 21/07/08   4.   Problem(s) 09:53  |  FreeOne 21/07/08   5.   Make peace with Syria, return the Golan Heights 10:28  |  Clickfool 21/07/08   6.   Another marvelous bit `o` spin doctoring 11:27  |  Johnboy 21/07/08   7.   Tell me again why it is any business of Israel what Syria does 12:27  |  lydia 21/07/08   8.   Withdraw from Lebanon then there is no need to fear Hizbollah 14:13  |  Natallie Durson 21/07/08   9.   #7 Dracula lydia 14:38  |  Avil 21/07/08   10.   Thank you Johnboy 14:50  |  Avil 21/07/08   11.   israel 16:28  |  azad 21/07/08   12.   9, You surely are a Fool 05:18  |  lydia 22/07/08

Read & React Israel fears scathing U.S. report on its West Bank policies Responses: 223 Fearing Haredi ire, Knesset choir bans women singers at Brown session Responses: 109 Israeli officials: U.S. intervention in minor Palestinian issues may damage ties Responses: 127 'Olmert vowed to keep Jerusalem whole, but that's not why I helped' Responses: 34 Bradley Burston: Ten Mideast traps for Barack Obama to avoid Responses: 28 More Headlines 02:22 'No excuses,' says visiting Obama about bulldozer terrorist 02:37 ANALYSIS / The timing of the second J'lem bulldozer attack was amazing 22:52 'All the terrorist wanted to do was to kill Jews' 02:14 UN reports drop in violence in Gaza, marked peace developments 23:57 Tel Aviv rally in honor of Gilad Shalit draws hundreds 01:41 Livni: When I'm PM, I'll seek unity gov't with Labor, Likud 01:27 Estelle Getty, peppery oldster in TV's 'Golden Girls,' dies at 84 02:35 UN Secretary-General reveals parts of letter from Hezbollah head Nasrallah 20:27 Barak lauds civilian, cop who killed bulldozer attacker 'quickly' 23:10 'Exodus' passenger makes aliyah 6 decades after being turned away 20:20 Shin Bet chief warned of copycat terrorists 3 hours before Jerusalem attack 01:48 Olmert government to hold first meeting on global jihad Wednesday 16:04 Bradley Burston/ Ten Mideast traps for Barack Obama to avoid 16:59 Abbas warns: PA forces to be pulled out of West Bank if IDF raids persist 01:18 Bulldozer driver goes on rampage in Jerusalem, apparent copycat of recent deadly attack Previous Editions Select Day 22 jul 21 jul 20 jul 18 jul 17 jul 16 jul 15 jul 14 jul 13 jul 11 jul 10 jul 09 jul

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