Subscribe to Print Edition | Wed., December 03, 2008 Kislev 6, 5769 | | Israel Time: 03:43 (EST+7)
Haaretz israel news English
web haaretz.com
Haaretz Toolbar
Diplomacy
Defense Jewish World Opinion National
Print Edition
Car Rental
Books Haaretz Magazine Business Real Estate GA 2008 Travel Week's End Anglo File
Last update - 15:11 24/11/2008
Barak: Hezbollah has 42,000 rockets, some can hit Dimona
By Shahar Ilan, Haaretz Correspondent, and Haaretz Service
Tags: IDF, Hezbollah, Barak 

Defense Minister Ehud Barak said Monday that Hezbollah had tripled its strength since the 2006 war in Lebanon, and that the pro-Iranian organization now possesses 42,000 rockets, some of which are capable of striking Ashkelon, Yerucham, and Dimona, Army Radio reported.

In a rare speech to the Knesset plenum, Barak defended himself against critics who had called for a massive offensive in the Gaza Strip, saying that Israel would not become hostage to a lone Qassam rocket.

"A Gaza operation will not hasten the return of Gilad Shalit," Barak declared in reference to the IDF soldier held captive by Hamas for more than two years. Israel would soon need to make tough decisions on the matter. "Those who are calling for conquering Gaza, should state the consequences out loud.
Advertisement
"This is not a reality show, we're speaking about human lives," Barak continued.

Barak said that he would suggest that those who urge a "one bang and that's all" approach to an IDF onslaught in Gaza, "should stop and think. It's been two years since the Second Lebanon War. Before sending soldiers into battle, we must look into the eyes of every mother and father, and say that we did everything, before sending them."

The temporary cease-fire in Gaza allows Israel to prepare better, and affords it greater flexibility of action regarding Iran, Syria and Hezbollah, Barak added. "This is too serious a subject for a political argument."

Drawing a parallel to the Gaza situation, he alluded to the markedly strengthened Hezbollah and asked, "Does anyone truly want to recapture Lebanon?"



Related articles:
  • IDF: Retaking Gaza would cost NIS 17 million a day
  • Report: Gaza militants agree to cease rocket fire if Israel opens crossings
  • Barak: Israel is working day and night to bring Shalit home
  • Qassams strike western Negev in latest threat to fragile truce
    • Bookmark to del.icio.us  
     
    A U.S. warning
    The Indian government faces accusations of intelligence failures after the attacks.
    Mistaken Identity
    Peres' handshake with Egypt's Grand Sheik is raising a few eyebrows.
      1.   Three time the fool 15:30  |  Matty Groves 24/11/08
      2.   What are the initials of IDF supposed to mean anyway 15:32  |  Ben Menachem 24/11/08
      3.   Under Barak`s watch 15:58  |  Brod 24/11/08
      4.   Demagoguery - Olmert, Barak 16:07  |  17 24/11/08
      5.   Talking up the threat 16:12  |  Chris Linthwaite 24/11/08
      6.   counter-strategy 16:25  |  Harry 24/11/08
      7.   Where was UNIFIL while Hezbollah was 16:40  |  * BEN JABO 24/11/08
      8.   The Sky Is Falling! 16:40  |  Mark Lincoln 24/11/08
      9.   #1 Hezbollah conducts warfare from civilian areas 16:48  |  Sanders 24/11/08
      10.   Please just leave. 17:29  |  David 24/11/08
      11.   Similarity between Olmert , Barak, and Carter 17:42  |  Gary 24/11/08
      12.   Sanders tries to ‘justify’!! 17:54  |  Matty Groves 24/11/08
      13.   e Legacy of Barak`s Miserable Premiership 17:55  |  Tod Zuckerman 24/11/08
      14.   Hang on wasn`t Hezbollah defeated. 18:04  |  Chris Linthwaite 24/11/08
      15.   #7 Hey Ben Jabo, how do you know 18:31  |  ballistic 24/11/08
      16.   why don`t you blame your own allies 18:37  |  moshe 24/11/08
      17.   Pure talk 18:46  |  najoure 24/11/08
      18.   11, moshe 19:51  |  Harry 24/11/08
      19.   Where is everyone ? 20:23  |  Avi 24/11/08
      20.   Hezbollah, 42,000 rockets, Human Lives 20:43  |  Gary 24/11/08
      21.   Yes, Chris, they were defeated and they are still hiding. 20:48  |  Jack 24/11/08
      22.   Is Barak another victim of the DECLINING MORALE 21:01  |  Dagma]Second time] 24/11/08
      23.   Barak a bemeddled hero speaks like a lamb,,,, 21:21  |  Dolly [second timr] 24/11/08
      24.   the IDF are formidable... 21:23  |  ClearCut 24/11/08
      25.   If Hezbollah is so powerful, why don`t they try anything 21:35  |  Reid 24/11/08
      26.   Preempt, Preempt, Preempt !!! 21:38  |  Baruch Gold 24/11/08
      27.   #21 Say Jack in FL 21:47  |  ballistic 24/11/08
      28.   #16 Moshe 21:49  |  ballistic 24/11/08
      29.   Greedy kibbutznik turned millionaire Barak prefers supplying Ham 22:31  |  Absolute Sweden 24/11/08
      30.   The Middle Eastern Definition of a Cease Fire 22:39  |  Tzfonit 24/11/08
      31.   #24, Clear Cut....funny post! 22:48  |  Silvienne 24/11/08
      32.   #31 Silveienne - Haven`t you heard? 23:21  |  * BEN JABO 24/11/08
      33.   Barak Needs To Be replaced As Soon As Possible 23:25  |  Kipperraes 24/11/08
      34.   #42 Maybe they aren`t as warmongering as Israel, Reid. 23:38  |  Johnboy 24/11/08
      35.   #32, Ben Jabo..now think back... 00:15  |  Silvienne 25/11/08
      36.   What can Israel do? Nothing, it`ll keep counting them 50K, 60K .. 00:19  |  Aounist 25/11/08
      37.   You can thank Iran for this 00:30  |  Peter Williams 25/11/08
      38.   you don`t need to send anyone - use airpower 00:36  |  Rami 25/11/08
      39.   Israel`s radical left-wing anarchists showing results 01:11  |  Bennie 25/11/08
      40.   JOHNBOY Hezb used their rockets,to start their war,bombing 01:11  |  PETER SM 25/11/08
      41.   get a grip Matty Groves 01:40  |  athiest zionist 25/11/08
      42.   What will be the Israeli answer 01:57  |  Abuya 25/11/08
      43.   #6, Harry 02:07  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 25/11/08
      44.   Barak Statements Prove the `Grevious Lack of Rational Thinking` 02:10  |  Joseph.E 25/11/08
      45.   This is the "DEFENSE" minister folks.... hahahaha! 02:42  |  amir 25/11/08
      46.   #40 Gosh! How many mistakes can PSM make in one sentence? 03:10  |  Johnboy 25/11/08
      47.   #38 I hear the sounds of echoes...echoes... echoes... 03:14  |  Johnboy 25/11/08
      48.   How to get rid of Hezbollah 03:42  |  Hassoun 25/11/08
      49.   Johnboy has his knickers in a twist again 04:15  |  Free Gilad Shalit 25/11/08
      50.   #49 FGS gives us the Official Hasbarah History... 05:33  |  Johnboy 25/11/08
      51.   Barak 42,000 rockets 10:03  |  Joshua 25/11/08
      52.   As we all get out our Hasbara Handbooks... 17:31  |  Silvienne 25/11/08
      53.   #35 Silvienne - I don`t care what Machsom watch says 01:13  |  * BEN JABO 27/11/08
      54.   #52 Silvienne - Since you mentioned it 06:43  |  * BEN JABO 30/11/08
      55.   more then 600 violation in 3 months in Lebanon 03:31  |  gus 03/12/08
      56.   CONTINUE VIOLATION 03:34  |  GUS 03/12/08
     Read & React
    Mohammed Naim Farhat: What Israel hasn't tried in Gaza
    Responses: 87
    Haaretz journalist Amira Hass arrested for illegal stay in Gaza
    Responses: 177
    Renegade Chabad rabbi 'right of Kahane' plans run for Knesset
    Responses: 58
    Police on high alert over Tel Aviv terror warning
    Responses: 33
    Olmert: Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State will strengthen Israel-U.S. ties
    Responses: 76


    More Headlines
    02:14 IDF declares Hebron `house of contention` a closed military zone
    03:19 ANALYSIS / Why hasn't Israel evacuated the Hebron house yet?
    22:49 Experts urge Obama to negotiate with Iran, advance Syria peace
    02:37 Senior Iranian commander leads Hezbollah drill in south Lebanon
    01:05 Father of Mumbai victim: Rivka was five months pregnant
    22:59 Egypt's Grand Sheik: I shook Peres' hand because I had no idea who he was
    22:28 Ukraine rabbi: Nationalists try to foil synagogue construction with wooden crosses
    23:11 Ship hired by Jordan Islamists to sail to Gaza December 20
    03:28 Labor's tech partner accepts blame for failed primary
    01:52 Farmers strike deal with JNF over Hula Valley cranes
    01:54 Religious clerics pray together for rain on Kinneret
    15:35 Two Palestinians killed in IAF strike on southern Gaza Strip
    17:51 17 teens suspected of running after-school gambling operation
    16:44 Haaretz journalist Amira Hass arrested for illegal stay in Gaza
    17:13 Livni and French MP clash over Gaza during EU speech
    14:58 NATO okays pact to boost security, political ties with Israel
    15:09 Indian navy: 'Systemic failure' led to Mumbai terror attacks
    Previous Editions
    Special Offers
    Advertisement
    Israeli Style
    Summer in Israel
    Living in Israel Studying in English
    Click & Meet our students from all around the world
    Fattal Hotel Chain
    Perfectly located hotels on best resorts of Israel.
    Car rental in Israel
    Shlomo Sixt Receive $15.00 from our low rates.
    Eldan Rent a Car
    Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on all online reservations
    Jewish Singles Personal Ads
    Find the love of your life on JDate.com
    Israel's Premier Real Estate Website
    www. israel-property.com
    Hebrew Summer courses
    From $39.95
    Junkyard
    Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt
    Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Underground | Site rules |
    Real Estate in Israel | Travel to Israel with Haaretz | Hotels Israel | Restaurants Israel | Tourist attractions Israel | Shops Israel
    birthright Israel | Search engine marketing
    Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.
    © Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved