Soldier killed, 3 missing after Navy vessel hit off Beirut coast
Navy: Bodies of MIA sailors likely in rear of ship; defense system had not been in operation at time of attack.
By News Agencies and Amos Harel Haaretz StaffThe body of one of the four missing Israel Defense Forces soldiers on a warship that was attacked by Hezbollah off the coast of Lebanon was found Saturday aboard the damaged vessel, military officials said. He was identified as Staff Sergeant Tal Amgar, 21, from Ashdod.
The three MIA soldiers have been named as Sergeant Yoni Hershkovitz, 21, from Haifa; Corporal Shai Atias, 19, from Rishon Letzion and First Staff Sergeant Dov Shteinshos, 37, from Carmiel.
Navy sources said Saturday that it is likely that the bodies of the three missing men are also in the rear of the ship.
The incident occured close to 8 P.M., west of Beirut, when the INS Spear, a Saar-5 Class destroyer, was on patrol as part of the naval blockade imposed on Lebanon since Wednesday.
The Saar-5 class is equipped with very advanced defensive systems. However, these were not in operation at the time of attack, partly because of the number of IAF aircraft operating in the area. It was feared that if the system was in operation, it would mistakenly identify friendly aircraft as enemy targets and engage them.
The Navy has already issued new orders to its vessels operating off Lebanon.
The missile struck the vessel near its helicopter landing pad at the rear of the ship. A large explosion caused the landing pad to cave in and be engulfed in flames that threatened the aviation fuel storage below.
The blaze and the darkness made it difficult to discern the nature of the attack and the missing soldiers. Repeated count of the crew showed that four were missing. Only later was one body discovered in the rear of the ship.
Initial assessment held that the ship had been struck by an unmanned aerial vehicle loaded with explosives. However, later in the night it became clear that a missile had hit INS Spear.
The missile, is a C-802 radar-guided anti-shipping missile manufactured in Iran using Chinese technology. Its range is estimated to be about 110 km.
Apparently two such missiles were fired on Friday night, one of them hitting INS Spear and the other a Cambodian-flagged freighter, 60 km off shore. A dozen Egyptian sailors from the freighter were picked up by another commercial vessel after their ship sunk following the missile strike.
According to Brigadier General Noam Feig, head of the naval shipyards, the Saar-5 crew "fought the flames and managed to regain self-propulsion. For a while the ship had lost some of its ability to maneuver."
Close to midnight the ship made its way to port where its rudders were repaired.
IDF sources said Saturday that Iran transfered the C-802 missiles to Hezbollah, although intelligence officers noted that they were not sure whether Iranian advisers were involved in the launching of the missiles.
Brigadier Feig said that the Navy had no intelligence that such missiles were in the Hezbollah arsenal. "We were under the impression that we were operating beyond the range of missiles," he said.
In response to the attack, naval and air forces destroyed radar stations belonging to the Lebanese army. IDF sources said that the Lebanese army radar took part in the attack against INS Spear.
The head of operations at the General Staff, Major General Gadi Eisenkot, said Saturday that the IDF would attack Lebanese army positions only if they attacked IDF forces.
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In Australia we have a lot of Lebs and they are wall to wall trouble. When you are finished in Beirut could you please come to Australia and help us out by blowing away Leb heartland, South West Sydney?
In these moments, and as the israeli aircrafts are destoying what's left of my country, i can only ask myself about the source of all this hatred. Devalorisating the image of our nation by the control of the mass media, double crossing the Christians during the war, preventing any sign of prosperity in Lebanon, killing what's left of our economy, what's left to add? As i see our children and our women crying in despair, and as i feel that the world has somehow agreed to take away any hope, be sure that we won't fall, we won't let go, we will never give away our freedom, even if it's the last thing we'll ever do, we won't accept to have the palestinians stay in our country, we won't give up, and let there be no mistake, as long as there will be one lebanese person living in this world, there will still be hope..
1982-Beirut.
This is a very complicated issue for you. I understand this because u feel stuck in the middle of a battle. ISRAEL does not wish to harm you. WE like lebanonon as a country and its people. However, There is a terrorist who is sitting in your government whos group has killed 8 soldiers, kidnapped 2 and launched close to 40o missles into the state of israel. Hizbollah launches missles and attempts to abduct soldiers roughly once a month every month. Therefore your government which accepts this practice has been held responsible. A government which hosts a "terrorist" (accepted by the United Nations)is now fully responsible. The Israeli army however does not wish to injure any lebanese civilians only hizbollah fighters. forgive us if we have. your friend
Nuetron weapons have very little fallout and are a close-in nuclear weapon. Fallout is not an issue if Israel has that weapon in their arsenal...it is beleived that they do. The question is at what point does use of the weapon outweigh the resulting horror of mass civilian casualties...should Iran and Syria get directly involved such reservation may quickly dissappear.
Israel has bought into its own propaganda bs. Be afraid. Be very afraid.
I agree with much of what you wrote as do many
With all due respect to peaceful jewish people in Israel and all over the world, Your military government just made the deadliest mistake in the history. 3 days after heavy bombing from billion dollars killing machines ripping babies in buses into pieces, still not a single hizbollah Katyusha launcher hit. Of the 61 killed people, 1 only was a Hizbollah militant. You've got yourselves new ennemies. As christian citizens, with no more airports, seaports, bridges and roads and in a while no baby food and bread,with nothing more to lose, Israeli army is now enemy to most lebanese people no matter what their religion is. Keep on bombing. You simply cannot control a country from the sky. We'll meet on the ground where there'll be much more than Hizbollah militants waiting for you.
I can't believe how evil and sadistic you are. Those swarms of poor people fleeing their homes are not "leaders" of Hizbullah. They're civilians running away from invisible missiles of death raining down on them from cowards in planes flying 10,000 meters high. The ones you want to kill are human beings no different from me or you. You Israelis have unbelievably little regard for anyone other than your own.
Eliath's loss was a surprise for everybody. At that time antimissile CIWS simply did not exist. But now we are in 2006, 24 years after Falklands war, 39 years after Eilath loss. That warship should be equipped with state of art ESM and ECM plus a battery of antimissile Barak missiles. Is chinese technology so ahead to defeat Israeli defences? Or simpy there was a problem with the commander or the crew?
This is in response to the comment that the Palestinians don't have a country. I respond by saying the Palestinians had a country but the Jews stole it. It?s very simple really. Israel is like the bully at school that takes your lunch money and beats you up all the while being protected by their US thugs who have a veto at the UN. I say the UN is completely useless; we don?t need an organization to justify American and Israeli atrocities. No more pretence.
From a Lebanese overseas here is how I feel... Angry...angry...angry! I am personally not a big fan of Hizb and their actions in the recent days...but to be honest with you...watching the israelies response... I am not sure now I want hizb to be disarmed or even stop... IDF said they will turn the clock 20 yrs back and I have no doubt they did and can do easily. But being so barbaric in the response puts IDF at the same level at Hizb even lower... Hizb attacks army, IDF responds attacking civilians.... this is insane. Hizb now is being transformed from a cancer in lebanon into AGAIN a hero. True Hizb HAS no right to do what they did or some say they do but the issue u are not assasinating their leaders or bombing their base or their areas..u are attacking al the lebanese and this will not win you anything. It is sooooo wrong. it is so frustrating and it is so doing the opposite of what you want to achieve.
The C-802 missile is an important offensive weapon, and its transfer to a terror group is a blatant provocation by Iran. One can ask if the missile fired against Israel's vessel was indeed fired by Iranian agents operating on Lebanese soil, or whether it was actually fired by Hizbollah. Whatever the answer, Iran is ultimately responsible, and the international community cannot overlook Iran's clear violation of international law. At present, Iran is a major threat to world peace, and the international community must do everything in its power to curb Iranian capabilities and ambitions.
May be next time. Those criminals on board those ships deserve what will come to them.
your anger should be at Hizbullah. They have caused this suffering to Lebanese and Israelis. The attack from Hizbullah was from Lebanon. Lebanon is responsible and must be held accountable.
The present action in Lebanon has to take place since the Lebanese government has no control over Hizbolla. A government without control over the country can't really be called so. The southern part of Lebanon is governed by Hizbolla and as long as that is the case, Israel has an obligation to defend itself from unprovoked attacks. Spineless Chirac decries Israel's reaction to this unprovoked attack and therefore encourages more terrorism against Israel. Putin meets with Hamas, sending a message that as long as the terrorist act against Israel that is acceptable, but reacts swiftly against Chechen terrorism against his country - Only decisive actions by Israel against terrorism will remove this threat from Lebanon
They're bombing vans with kids and families in them, they're bombing kids entertainment stations (is that their targets?), they're bombing bridges, houses, and and and. When is our country (the U.S.) going to wake up and put an end to this Jewish terrorisim?
a sophisticated radar guided missile with "cloaking" electronics to make it hard for the ships own radar to detect.not something an ordinary terrorist is capable of operating but for iranian specialists it would be no problem.to compound the problem it appears the crew did not think it was necessary for the ships anti-missile system to be turned on-that would have steered away or shot down the missile-a lesson learned the hard way.now is not the time to be complacent.
The Israeli soldiers were kidnapped and murdered within the 1948 borders.
I understand you. I know the Israelis try not to kill civilians. But the Hizbullah thugs have declared war on Israel, which has been left no option but to retaliate. Unfortunately, at war there are civilian casualties. I am praying for this not to happen, or at least, they are not too many. I have read the Israelis warned the people of Beirut. Free Lebanon.
Israel fairy tale has to come to an end, if not today, then tomorrow, if not tomorrow then the day after. No agressor will go unpunished Regardless of all the power and support that Israel has, sooner or later justice will prevail.
The wind will be blowing from south to north for two weeks straight, Our ground forces are only needed to help Lebanon destroy Islamic occupation in the country. Sidon, Tyre, Beirut. Why experement with Iran? We must use what we have for now, till we will create somthing better. Who needs Hesbulah in the Beka Valey? Lebanon dosent, only Iran. So here you go, Symple.
israel would never use nuclear weapons on any land that they might have the opportunity to later steal. this is particularly true of fertile land with rich soil, clean water and vegetation. grow up, you violent, myopic, rabid, zealots. extremism on any side will only act to make the situation worse than it already is--and it's already pretty bad.
I'm afraid that missiles my reach Tel Aviv. I think we should stop this war. This war me become the biggest in Israel History
i think you are going to pay a heavy price for your aggression on lebanon and palestine . we are very proud of what hezbollah has done with your navy ship. you gonna see more surprises the ship is the first and there is more i asure you .we are ready to dismiss you from our holy lands damn you.
This Conflict and the punishment of Lebanon can only strengthen Hezbollah, I am afraid.... Did you not know that.
It was a shame really to watch that ship limp miserably back home. A foretaste methinks of Israelis limping back again from Lebanon
If not for the sending rockets to terrorize a peaceful jewish people, the army would not be there kicking your ass.
The problem though, Eric, is the huge Zionist Lobby at work in the US. If any US President were to move against Israel in the slightest, or even not defend Israel (through resolution vetoes) even when it is dead wrong, then they will not be re-elected because Zionist influence over the huge jewish voting sector.
It is with personal shame that I am in London and not fighting alongside my heroes in the IDF, but it sems to me that we need to use more destructive means to kill off Hezbollah once and for all. We have told the civilans to evacuate South Beirut and Lebanon up to the Litani river, now give 12 hours warning before every building and structure is flattened. After which point we send in the troops to mop up the remaining terrorist scum
Israel is in the process of REGAINING RESPECT. After leaving Lebanon to be replaced by terrorist elements, and leaving Gaza with the same effect , the few options left inclued LEAVING TEL AVIV.... Now new RULES OF ENGAGEMENT need to be established. Negotiations with Kidnapers are not an option.
If they had more misiles, many more ships would have been in trouble. People who remember the 1967 rhetoric know that certain elements in the mid east are a lot more mouth than deeds. Nevertheless, Israel cannot stop the campaign before fully defeating the terrorists. Any concession will be followed by more kidnapings.
israel has some of the most skilled commandos and secret police in the world. there's absolutely no reason that they should need to exploit such massive and devastating displays of military might in lebanon and palestine to retrieve a few soldiers. the israeli government's use of such disproportionate force will do nothing but further isolate them in the global arena and potentially destroy the only international relationship really keeping that welfare-state alive--their relationship with america. further, such military actions will increase the rate in evolution of response by hezuballah and hamas, making their counter-measures to IDF aggression more difficult for the IDF to ignore and more devastating to the lives of IDF soldiers. israel's aggression will be it's own undoing. p.s. let's also not forget that on the 24th of july, israeli forces went into palestine to kidnap two civilians and that **THAT** action is what prompted an initial response by hamas to kidnap a soldier...
Hey I suggest you to stop speaking rubbish. The questin is rather : how come terrorists are in your government ??? Why does israel come and put your own house in order. I suggest to the IDF, they want war, so unleash all you might. DESTROY each and every fanatic, and if possible, nuke damascus and Tehran.
Is it all a game, where Iran and Syria are maneuvering for regional dominance, or at least regime security? I remember that just before Hafiz Assad passed away, he and PM Barak were very close to reaching agreement on Israeli withrawal from the Golan in exchange for a peace treaty; the difference between success and the ultimate failure of those talks [including Clinton-Assad in Geneva] was apparently about 10 meters of Kinneret shoreline. [When the Chinese PM was told this on a visit to Israel once, he responded - assuming that he had misunderstood - 'surely you mean 10 kilometers']. Assad, it appears, was not able to overcome his memories of fishing as a youth on those very shores. Can you imagine how different things might have been had peace been reached then! It is said about the Assads [certainly Hafez, possibly less so his son] that, while they are ruthless, if they make agreements, they keep them.
Nuke have more radiation per unit force, H-bomb will do the job better. Does Israel have this technology ? Let Iran & Syria have the honor to be H-bombed.
Just imagine what would happen if some of these rockets hits Israels nuclear site. If I were Israeli I would leave israel quickly. I Mean wouldnt you rather live in U.S.A or Russia or Europe where its peaceful.
i want to live as peaceful neighbours with you... ...each with their own respect and culture But if hizbullah which is in your government shoots at our civilians you will pay the same price and more until you peaceful lebanese citizens KICK THEM OUT!!! SHORT OF THIS I CANT SEE A QUICK END I DONT HATE LEBANON NOR REAL LEBANESE BUT HIZBULLAH IS ONLY DAMAGING YOU FOREVER YOU GOT TO KICK THEM OUT OF YOUR AREAS IF YOU WANNA LEAVE IN PEACE.
If you prevent terrorist from mixing with the civilian, you will easily identify the terrorist.
Eric, Cowboy George slipped up trying to geld Iraq and gelded himself instead.
I don't think Israel will 'nuke" Lebanon. It would be insane to do so. It is clear, however, that Ehud "The Mad (as in angry) Bomber" Olmert is utterly dedicated to destroying the nation of Lebanon. The IDF leadership is claiming that Lebanon will be sent '20 years into the past." Last year you Lebanese delivered a major strategic defeat to Syria. Now your getting the payback from Israel. Having crippled your armed forces, Olmert wants you to destroy Hizbollah for him. Crazy world isn't it? Wish you luck. Keep your head down. "Failure will be repeated until it succeeds." - The Olmert Doctrine
The Israelis and the west are asking you nice! Give up the terrorists. They are even giving you advance notice of the strikes on residential areas where the terrorist hide and are attacking the infrastructure only, The terrorists don't care about you or your country, take control now, before its too late. The Taliban were asked nicely to give up the terrorists, they made the wrong choice. You still have time. Do it now. for your children's sake.
While the Bush administration has declined to impose sanctions on China, Beijing has decided to develop and sell more advanced weapons. The China National Precision Machinery Import and Export Corp. has released detailed information on a new cruise missile for export. China is offering an advanced version of the C802 anti-ship missile for export. The C802A has an extended range of over 100 miles and a new turbo-jet propulsion system. The C802A use a strap-down laser ring gyro system coupled with GPS, and agile frequency radar for better attack targeting. The C802A can be adapted for air, land, sea or submarine launch. China has previously sold copies of the C802 to Iran, and the Iranians are expected to arm their aircraft and new Russian submarines with the deadly missile. YJ-63 missile technology appears to be identical to the Iranian Raad missile co-developed by Tehran and Beijing. China is reported to have provided Iran with the technology to produce the HY-2 Silkworm.
Torah Warriors - rise up! Remove sin from your midst. Yeshua said: Mat 23:37 "Yerushalayim, Yerushalayim, who kills the prophets, and stones those who are sent to her! How often I would have gathered your children together, even as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you would not! Mat 23:38 Behold, your house is left to you desolate. Mat 23:39 For I tell you, you will not see me from now on, until you say, 'Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!'"
Maybe Israel should transfer more mil tech to China now.
there is more to come on haifa and even Tel aviv. it is easy to speak. but it is difficult to keep one's word.
We are living in a crazy world! Fanaticism and hate will destroy God's favorite region (The Middle East).... If we don't consider ourselves equal we will never live in peace... This is Disgusting!!!! Remenber "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing"
Much the same shock, in that Israel had assumed that it was facing a helpless opponent with a totally safe platform. I have several questions. 1. was this actually a C-802, or the more probably C-801A? 2. was it actually operate by Hizbollah? 3. how many more might there be available? 4. what other advanced systems might have been supplied to Hizbollah?
Is this embarassing to you? It's embarassing to me.Is this embarassing to him? It's embarassing to me.Is this embarassing to them? It's embarassing to me. And on and on! Really, Indrajaya you should quit Jihad and be a stand-up comedian. Ha-Ha! Enjoy all your posts! Selah!
Israel receives $2 billion from America every year; vital satellite intelligence; support on the United Nations Security Council; and overall political support from a wide section of the American public. And they repay America with a deliberate destabilizztion of Lebanon's fragile democratic government; actions that unify and strengthen the political power of terrorist organizations; give Syria and Iran huge propaganda victories in the Arab world; and gives the Shiite extremists in Iraq more reason to shoot our soldiers dead. Israel made a critical miscalculation when it invaded Gaza two weeks ago and humiliated the Palestinians collectively. The pictures of that operation spread around the Arab world and made it much easier for Hezbollah, Syria, and Iran to make trouble.
Stupid!!!!! no more comments.
Well, maybe it doesn't look like much. But, did you think this wasn't coming sooner or later? Why were Hizbullah massing on the border and building up so many weapons? Because they were afraid Israel would invade lebanon unprovoked? No! This was coming sooner or later; they just provoked it now. It was never going to be nice, and it was never going to be easy. But Israeli's have gotten soft. Years of hearing about 'peace' and relatively good lifestyles have made them forget they are surrounded by enemies who want them dead. Israel, get tought once again.
The claim that Hizb is a tool in the hand of Syria and Iran may be true. But from the media and the way the events are unfolding one thing the world is becoming sure about. Israel's response is giving Hizb legitimacy because Hizb attacks IDF, Israel response is hit people and infrastructure. Not only you are -AGAIN- rallying all Lebanese from all religion around Hizb because no human being will accept kids and civilians to be killed in such a barbaric way. Israel sounds in despair of the situation and being UNABLE to deal with Hizb military machine and threat is becoming a loose cannon. Not many countries like Hizb and many Lebanese are VERY unsure about the loyalty of Hizb and their objectives. But I can tell you the Israeli response is not helping anyone and SURELY not Israel or the Lebanese opposing Hizb. You reallly have to look carefully at what you are trying to achieve and review the plan to do that because if the idea to weaken Hizb it is not working....
I already read (either here in Haaretz or JP or on FNC) that Israel has given Damascus 72 hours to reign in Hizbollah.
Yes, it was a dumb thing for #10 to say. I doubt you will receive a nuke.
You worry too much about being embarassed. We worry about life and death. (But, if I were u...i'd be embarassed too i guess....)
those israeli warships are designed to kill. and if they are in Lebanese waters, they are a legitimate target by anyone's standard. it's a shame the entire crew isn't making the return trip in caskets.
They all have one thing in common: HAVING A TERRORIST REGIME OPERATING FROM YOUR TERRITORY WILL ONLY BRING YOU DEATH AND DETRUCTION.
Hezbollah leaders were seen leaving their destroyed headquarters en masse. If the newspapers can report this, then IAF can find them and destroy them. Please!
Ha'aretz Forums are falling deep into madness, reflecting the region's. Almost everything I read here, whether written by pro-, con- or fake is rubbish. Very few interesting facts and opinions. I ask Ha'aretz: what is the use of such a forum ?
MOST OF LEBANESE ARE FED UP WITH HEZBOLLAH ESPECIALLY DRUZES, SUNNITES AND CHRISTIANS. SO PLEASE DO THE JOB AND SEND THESE GORILLAS BACK TO WHERE THEY CAME: IRAN. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT BUT AVOID KILLING TOO MANY CIVILIANS, PLEASE...
Tell them what is happening to Beirut at this very hour. Tell them how many years it will take to rebuild your roads, bridges, and your lives. Tell them how you feel about the Israeli government decision to hold you, the citizens of Lebanon, collectively responsible for Hezbollah. Tell them about the assassination of Hariri by Syrian agents and your struggle to build a democracy after 20 years of civil war; a democracy in tatters at this very hour. Tell them how you feel. They need to hear it from you, at ground zero.
Mistakes of this nature are the result of defending against the wrong enemy. Israel will have to accept the fact that Iran and Syria are not only pulling the strings but are shooting at them as well. I hear that they used an Iranian silkworm.
many lebaneese israelis and palestinian are death and your poor excuse for human being celebrates from 1000s km away the misery of many. what good will come from this. Shame on you instead of asking for calm to stop of war to humanitarian help you use all your time and energy in evil celebrations? where is your comon sense. Luckily not all muslims are like you Peace to you
at sea, ur soldiers aint safe. In the air, safe for now but not much longer. on the ground, it would be your biggest mistake, 2nd biggest. Your biggest was starting something you can't finish. come and get it boys, our 12 year olds girls will have IDF troops for breakfast. They got more balls
hezbollah will destroy haifa and talabib and israel will begg hizbollah to stop bomming
To #10, an answer to your question, "where are the nukes?" I hope to G-d that they are out of the hands of idiots like you. Nuclear radiation doesn't respect borders, or time, for that matter. They would poison the entire eastern Mediterranean for decades to come. #10, go back to playing computer war games and don't emrarrass yourself any further by writing any more ridiculous nonsense.
We exactly still don't know the details but what happened is very very serious.I don't know if it was an upgraded missile or not....in any case i don't think that North Korea is a first of the class in the Electronic field.If it was really a C-802 missile we were lucky!It has a semi-piercing 170 Kg warhead capable to sink a 2000 tons vessel in few minutes if it hit in the right place! Litoranean war is dangerous because you operate in a high clutter radar environment , but in any case Israel must be the very first of the class if it wants survive.And usually Israel has a great reputation in the radar's field.Those missiles are subsonic,yes they fly close to the water,but Israel ECM and above all Barak and Phalanx system MUST defeat them!I think that someone must to WAKE UP NOW , the enemy is strong and has good tactics.I pray for Israel!
Reminds me of the shock Israel suffered when her destroyer ELATH was sunk by Egyptian OSA-class missile boats. Then just as now caused by gross misjudgement of the danger of exposing a large combatant in littoral waters to anti-ship missiles. Another slap in the face of over-confident IDF.
Bush should tell Israel to stop acting like it has autonomy in pursuing its own foreign and military policies. You do what the President of the United States tells you to do, or we will cut you loose. Since when does the piss-ant little foreign country tell the all-powerful USofA how the game will be played?
The Israelis, through force of arms, wanted the Lebanese and Palestinians to begin civil wars against the extremists in their midst. Instead Hezbollah is gaining Lebanese support. Hamas is gaining Palestinian support. Collective blame has failed. The Israelis wanted to improve homeland security. 20,000 Israelis sleep in bunkers every night and the attacks in Beirut and Gaza have made more bitter enemies. Even Christian Lebanese feel rage at what the Israelis are doing to their city. The Israelis want the return of their captive soldiers. Not only have they not been returned, attitudes in Gaza and Lebanon have hardened. The hostages won't be released unconditionally. Ever. The Israelis want to rally American support for actions against Syria and Iran. Bush instead has told Israel to layoff the democratically elected Lebanese Government. Destablizing the Lebanese government hurts American foreign policy in the Middle East--you know, promoting democracy. So, what now?
Well look at that, it just like we need another proof of Iranian presence among the Hizballah. Apparently the drone was sent by Iranian operators, strikibg the Israeli ship. Is it another bellum casius for Israel to look towards Iranian sites?! Now, there are few trouble spots in the world that really need an immediate solution: North Korea, Iran, Hamas and Hizballah. It is an irony that the G8 are getting together to try and solve some of the current international burning spots. Syria might be on the agenda on top for US due to its involvement in Iraq. So, the times are going to have to change and the international leaders have the responsibility to attend to find solutions: Wounder?! Wait for protracted and unsettled period where everyone is going to be touched by future events.
UR HEAD MUST BE NUKED TO TALK THIS WAY. WE SEEK NEGOTIATIONS & PEACE & LOOK AT UR SUGGESTION!! VERY BRILLIANT INDEED!!!!
...What good are the nukes if we don`t use them...? I knew those that happened in the last few days to Israelis soldiers are very, very embarrassing things to swallow. But I didn't realized that much embarrassing it caused to you, my friend (am I not?). Was that a little too much?
YES U'RE RIGHT & IT'S PROVEN MANY TIMES
Next Hezbollah will hit the fuel stations at the Haifa ports. Israel put itself in such a mess. No doubt that Israel will try to edxport its problems again to get retaliation against the US, or worst, Israel will stage and blam an incident on Hezbollah. That is the Israeli mind at work. Shameful.
R U Stupid if the wind blows the wrong way every one in israel will get exposed.
When a victim of extermination becomes an exterminator, thats Israel. The unconditional support and protection of the US president to Israeli actions has created hate against Americans. This is a cycle repeating itself, the price of Israel to world security is becoming prohibitive.
GO AWAY, WE DON'T NEED THIS! LET US LIVE SAFELY IN OUR COUNTRY WITHOUT PUTTING US THROUGH THE WORSE EVERYTIME. WE DON'T HATE U AS PEOPLE WE JUST HATE WHAT UR GOVERNMENT IS CAUSING US. THIS IS WRONG. DON'T U WISH WE CAN ALL LIVE TOGETHER IN PEACE? WHY FOR EXAMPLE WOULD UR F16 HIT A VAN WITH INNOCENT CIVILIANS IN IT? IT'S NOT THEIR FAULT THEY WERE TRYING TO ESCAPE. WHY DON'T UR GOVERMENT DEAL WITH ITS OWN ECONIMIC CRISIS & THE UNEMPLOYEMENT INSTEAD OF SPENDING ALL THAT MONEY ON ARMS? THINK ABOUT IT, U NEED PEACE & WE DO TOO. LWT'S TRY AS PEOPLE NOT AS GOVERNMENTS TO OPEN UP A CONVERSATION SESSION TO TALK ABOUT EVERYTHING THAT WE LIKE & DISLIKE ABOUT 1 ANOTHER, I'M WILLING TO DO SO. WE DON'T HATE U AS PEOPLE. LONG LIVE LEBANON! LONG LIVE PEACE COMMUNITIES! THANK U
Following the 1991 Gulf War Iran imported the C-802 antiship cruise missile from China. China suspended exports in 1996 in response to comlaints by the the United States. In December 1996 Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, John Shalikashivili, warned Chinese Defense Minister General Chi Haotian that arms exports would increase destabilizing factors in the region. No international agreement bans transfers of anti-ship missiles, and the C-802 is not covered by the MTCR, which controls exports of ballistic and cruise missiles that can deliver 500 kg. warheads to 300 km. Iran expected to purchase 150 C-802 missiles from China but only received a half of them because of the arms suspension. By mid-1997 Iran reportedly possessed some 60 of the missiles deployed in coastal batteries on Qeshm Island, a strategic point on the eastern side of the Arabian peninsula. In 1997, General J.H. Binford Peay, Central Command commander, said that China transferred 20 patrol boats with 15 equipped with C-802 missiles (Washington Times, January 29, 1997). [Some reports claim that China may have transferred hundreds of C-802s, although these claims are not widely attested].
Well all you peaceniks out there, are any of your theories concerning war and peace panning these days? Who needs strategic depth (everyone north of Tel Aviv!)and who needs to control the border between Rafiah and Egypt (someone other than Egyptians and Palestinians!).
'''They are finished! Hizbollah are putting up a fight, which is only to be expected for the sake of Arabic pride. However, over time, they will be crushed by the Israeli road-roller that is advancing upon them. Neither the United Nations, the bleating French (10% of whom are already Muslims anyway) or anyone else can deflect the rollers course. The one foreign people whom I feel sorry for are the Lebanese. After a tragic civil war, they started to put their country together again. Now war again. However you cannot have Hizbollah in your country and expect a peaceful life. Party of God indeed! C'est la vie.
In early 2000 it was reported that North Korea and Iran were jointly developing an advanced version of the C-802 cruise missile. These missiles initially acquired by Iran were not equipped with advanced systems, and the missiles acquired by Iran were rather outdated. Iran turned to North Korea for missile system technology, and the two countries are jointly developing an upgraded version with improved accuracy. ["N. Korea, Iran Jointly Develop Missile: Report" Korea Times February 17, 2000] The precise application of the YJ-8 designation remains somewhat obscure, as it is used with reference to both C-801 and C-802 missiles, and may be the overall designator for the weapon system that fires both types of missiles. The YJ-22 is a land-attack cruise missile development of the anti-ship C-802 with a 400km range, and possible GPS/TM guidance currently said to be under development with an IOC expected after 2005.
History states no one has been able to go in to lebenon and survive. If Israel tries to go in on land their will be a lot of losses
What good are the nukes if we don't use them? In the case of Lebanon, we can save many lifes of Israeli's and our soulders if we can nuke the entire Beka Valey for example. US will take care of Iran anyway, before they strike. Remember that only radiation can insure the peace north of the border. Chemicals are to dangerous becouse they are too clouse to Israel. But a proportional Hidro bombs will do the job if done corectly. In Beirut on the other hand we can bring our ground forces.
Projecting weakness ,Israel has encouraged their enemies. The Road Map-Peace Now- Oslo disaster have all proven unmitigated failures at securing peace for Israel. Islam only understands brute force. Now comes the difficult effort od restoring deterrence. This weakening of Israel by forcing them to surrender thier land and show goodwill gestures and restraint and appeasment to this enemy has encourage Israel's enemies to finish her off. Thanks to failed U.S. policy and schemes for a fasle peace ,Israel was seen as weak by Hezbollah and Hamas and this has led to war. The strong deterrent Israel had was removed by Oslo under criminal Bill and his sidekick Bush and the Road Map. I blame it more on you and your policy of forcing Israel into appeasmnet by your Road Map to hell Mr. Bush
As reported by Channel 2 in Israel: Hizbullah leaders and operatives were leaving Beirut on Saturday following a massive IAF strike on an 11-story building that served as the organization's command center, initial intelligence indicated. Just like Arafat et al.. tried to spin when they were forced out of Jordan as a victory, Hezbollah. But, the truth is Isarel hs driven them out the dynamics in the north of Israel will change.
my dear With all my due respect for your emotions and feelings for your deceased brother in the Golan Heights 73 battle, what I meant was to shed a light on one important aspect of the conflict. Notifying families of the missed or killd soldier soon thereafter and making every effort is only the least that can offered. But, this is not allabout how to pay respect. In the first place, Israel has to have her soldiers-in particular- and her people to believe in their Just Goal and their Just Means to achieve this goal. War itself is Not a Glory thing to do without a just cause. Might is not braveness; to be brave you have to learn how to restrain even in the difficult situation. Why risking lives of your beloved, if you can make it without war. Why just serving only to gain or keep False Pride? So, Does Israel pay respect for her people; living or dead ?
We have to say that Israel started to become weak. I'm sure that Iran gave a lot of missiles and mass destructives to Hizbullah. Next days will be shocking!
Israel is falling deep in the game of Hamas and Hezbollah. Every small victory of Hezbollah like this, even whitout military significance, only shows to the arab world that they are the leaders, and that its actions are right. Israel should find a smart policy looking for isolating these terrorist groups from the mainstream arab politics. This is the only way to achieve a real peace in the region.
Levi, I can see your point, but be a bit more careful next time. Shock and Awe may come to hunt you and your friends. Don't complain my friend if you have problems, you could expect to get from the rest what you are giving them. Clear dear levi?
Since the IDF's bombing and blockade campaign has failed to motivate the people of Beirut to start a civil war with Hezbollah, isn't it about time the IDF get its tanks and bulldozers into the act? Losing 4 sailors to a third-rate missile attack won't encourage Lebanese collaboration with Israel either. It doesn't project "strength" and only through displays of massive strength (we call it "Shock and Awe in America), can the Israeli plan ever hope to improve its recruitment campaign in Lebanon. Come to think of it, the IDF has much more infrastructure destruction to do in Gaza before the Palestinians see the error of their ways and collaborate with Israel against Hamas. So, let's roll, Israel! The mass conversions to the Israeli side await the persuasive powers of the IDF. Maybe the soldiers will be home by Hanukah.
No price in too high as long as we kill the hezballons. Keep doing it and the people of Israel will support it. Two days ago we saw Nasrallah smile on TV. Remember this pictures - that should be the last time you saw him smile (and alive).
There were Navy sailors dead before (altogether with their new submarine and the rest of the crew members), but those four soldier were the first Navy soldiers fallen (when they were on board in the war duty) in the history of Arab-Israel war, weren't they? Quite shocking, don't you think?