Syria gave advanced M-600 missiles to Hezbollah, defense officials claim
Army intelligence worried by Lebanese militants' growing rocket arsenal - but says Syria has a genuine desire to strike a peace deal with Israel.
By Jonathan Lis and Amos Harel Tags: Israel news Hezbollah Syria Lebanon
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A UN patrol in southern Lebanon, where Hezbollah clashed with Israel in 2006 |
| Photo by: (Archive) |
Syria has delivered advanced M600 rockets to Hezbollah militants in Lebanon within the past year, Israeli defense officials said on Wednesday.
The M600, a Syrian copy of the Iranian Fateh-110, has a range of 300km and carries a half-ton warhead. If fired from southern Lebanon it would be capable of hitting Tel Aviv.
Latest claims of arms transfers to Lebanon follow recent accusations by President Shimon Peres that Syria Hezbollah gave long-range Scud missiles, capable of inflicting heavy damage on Israel's cities.
Other government figures, including Defense Minister Ehud Barak, have since avoided repeating the claims and it is unclear whether Damascus could have delivered the 44-foot liquid-fueled missiles, handling which requires complex logistics, undetected.
Yet doubts over the Scuds have not masked growing fear in the Israeli defense establishment over Hezbollah's rapidly expanding arsenal. On Tuesday the army's head of intelligence research, Brigadier General Yossi Baidatz, told the Knesset that the Scud transfer was the "tip of the iceberg".
"Even today Hezbollah has missiles of all ranges types, including solid-fueled rockets that have a longer range are extremely accurate," Baidatz told the Knesset's foreign affairs and security committee.
Baidatz warned that arms transfers were not sporadic but reflected long-term policy in Tehran and Damascus
"Syria and Iran carry out weapons transfers on a constant and structured basis in way that can't be described as simple smuggling – the transfers are official and well-organized," he said.
He added: "Hezbollah's long-range rockets allow them to position launchers deep within Lebanese territory and cover ranges far greater than we aware of in the past.
The militant group was far stronger today than in 2006, when it fought a war with Israel, Baidatz said.
"Hezbollah in 2010 is very different to Hezbollah in 2006 in terms of military capability, which has advanced a great deal," he said. "Hezbollah is now regarded by the Syrians as a component of their defense establishment."
But despite strong backing for Hezbollah, Syria remained keen to strike a peace deal with Israel, Baidatz said.
"A political settlement with Israel is high on Syria's list of priorities and intelligence shows a will to reach an agreement – but on their terms, meaning a return of the Golan Heights and American involvement" he said.
Baidatz said that Syria's President Assad was willing to embrace sweeping changes – but did not trust the administration of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
"Military intelligence believes Syria could radically alter its role – but Assad feels that political progress with the current Israel government is impossible and has therefore avoided confidence-building measures."
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Anyone that trust this bunch has rocks in their heads... do they actually believe any one giving and supplies terrorist can actally want peace with Israel?? maybe a l nut but Israel has more sence than to fall for a big lie like this...
Iran and Syria influence in Lebanon is gaining ground as a result of that the Lebanese government is forced to cover the cancer of Hezbollah, which was the main reason of the previous wars in Lebanon. of course the failed leadership on both sides of the borders. Israel air violation and occupying part of Lebanon is part of the faild leadership of Israel, they keeps convincing and lying to its own poeple about a threat from Lebanon, denying the hard work of the UN and Lebanese army and the borders is much safer than some neighbourhood in Jerusalem. The real threat here is Syria and Iran, like the old say, who will be hurt the most in a fist fight is the weakest which is Lebanon, again Lebanon is the victim hear. Corrupted leadership is on both sides of the borders, what Lebanon should do is to withdraw from the Arab league and join the commonwealth much better for the future of Lebanon also Lebanese army and UN should pull back from the south and let the Israeli and Hezbollah go head-to-head against each other for good.
It makes no difference that Hezbollah have Syrian weapons. It is clear that the next battle will already involve Syria and their weapons anyway. Take out Assad early in the fight and peace will be possible.
The Russians, who made them, think that they do. It was reported in Pravda.
"recent accusations by President Shimon Peres that Syria Hezbollah gave long-range Scud missiles," Sooooo, they *do* have Scuds..... "it is unclear whether Damascus could have delivered the 44-foot liquid-fueled missiles, handling which requires complex logistics, undetected." Soooooo, they don't have Scuds..... "Yet doubts over the Scuds have not masked growing fear in the Israeli defense establishment" Soooo, you don't have a f**king clue wether they have Scuds or they don't. But, by golly!, it makes a good story so you'll keep repeating it time after time after tedious time..... Because this must be about the 50th article you have posted on "Hezbo's Scuds", and you STILL don't know if they have them or if the story is simply a pile of hasbarah manure.....
Pity Lebanon did not have the missiles a few years ago. It may have deterred Israels attack on Lebanon or stopped the assault earlier than it did. It is only when Israel decides to work with it's neighbors that peace will happen.
the people on both sides will have to pay a very high price, as always.
Where is my post? He is too critical - yet again? Haaretz uses the syrian hezbolla-rockets for attacking against Israeli government, again in this article. - A new case of betrayal of Israel's fundamental interests. Typical. Greetings from Germany! PS. And dont forget the SS-KGB-islam-syrian-connection again! -> Aval31.free.fr or tellTheChildrenTheTruth.com or. TheBigLieAndTheMEDIAwarAgainstISRAEL!
... part of the Strategical Defense !
... part of the Strategical Defense !
- I hope, they will be better. But every times it is a big problem, to give shelter, psychological and diplomatical resistance against the an offensive weapon system, before it has been shot. But I know, what YOU WANT to SAY with your "questions": Israeli weapon = zionist = are evil-evil-evil . . - yet ?!
The only way Israel can win a war is with ground troops. We know using airplanes will achieve nothing. Using ground troops is what can achieve something; this is what HA is waiting for. If you use airplanes; HA members will be in the hiding and they 'll launch some fireworks towards Israel just to piss you off and proof that they are still fighting. Then when you advance using tanks; they'll come up from their trenches and fight you. So it is complicated.
All the reason to make peace with you neighbors, Israel.
even obama knows that syria is a terror state. he has extended sanctions on syria for another year.
Would this arms race not become irrelevant as soon as Israel returns the Golan and makes peace with Syria (and does the same with the Palestinians)? Also the armed wings of Hezbollah and Hamas will probably not survive a just peace.
Soon enough Lebanon will lie in smoldering ruins again just as in 2006. They ensured this when they supported Hezbollah in the government. Syria will hardly escape the same fate. This is not a corrupt Olmert and liberal Israeli government they are dealing with this time ( except for Barak). IDF failure won't be an option.
An Israeli Nuclear weapon or Hezbollah rocket??
I do not understand why Israel and the west keep on focusing on the lebanese primitive military capabilities while they have the most distructive capabilities in the world.I think that the lebanese have the right to defend themselves from the habitual attacks of israel that means nothing but to confirm that the israeeli are merchents of death and distruction.Since the Arabian military powers are increasing,i advise Israel to proceed with the peace process in apositive way,otherwise it will be dificult for the Jews to keep setteling in the Arabian Aria.
It's the Arabs that attack, Israel counterattacks. That's what happened in 2006 and has always happened. It's only libero-fascists and Arabists that call Israeli counterattacks "attacks."
you keep barking we have the m600 and scud missles , yeah and we have more , israel havnt even declared its nuclear sites. so either do something about it(and i dont recommend u do) or shutup plz
Hezbollah is comming my friend...
Hezbollah's position of strength as official actor in both the political and military spheres is a direct reasult of Israeli's failure to destroy Hezbollah in 2006. That was the objective and the failure could not have been greater. What Israel faces now is the result of its own doing... the rest is mere noise.
The same old story of the Middle East Syria,Israel,Lebanon!.....Muslims,Jews,Christian!.......Thousands of missiles with different names and brands,bombs and terrorism!....All that for an occupied piece of land in Shebaa farms,Golan heights or some small villages in the West bank!!!??.....Is there a man in this hot Middle east who knows something about piece and prosperity???......Enough blood and enough war!....Instead of killing eachother,let`s plan for the future of our children living in the holy land of God!
but this should show that is Israel does decide to attack again they better finish the job because if they don't Hezbollah will only come back stronger
Why Donn't you understand that in the last Lebanon-Israeli war it was Hezbollah who attacked first Israeli just responded. It is Hezbollah who needs to be wary of whom they attack.
The next conflict will see a lot more casualties. The Hezb care not who they kill and if they start shooting at large population centers Israel will have no choice but to suppress such fire with a devastating bombing of its own. Guess who will be devasted ?
So I assume that lots of Israeli Leaders would have their places reserved in the next round of the IJC in The Hague. I think the ME needs its Nuremberg trails..... for this time the premeditation of harming civilians is very pronounced. And if the massacres of Gaza 2009, Lebanon 2006, 1982, were not carpet bombings.....
Israel has killed more then 1 300 lebanese civilians in 2006 bombing civilians randomly! that gives hizbollah the right to amass as much weapons as possible! next war Israeli civilians will feel how it feels like to be Palestinian or lebanese
What you do not understand is that in a war, when one side inflicts massive casualties on a civilian population of another country the only response left to the victim is to suppress the fire by a devastatingly retaliating regardless of how many casualties this will cost the other side. I hope this never happens but I assure you, the threat of the Hague is the last thought in the minds of those trying to survive. Learn military history.
do you understand what is going on ! next round operation howliling of the lost souls will be unleashed rendering Israel as folk tale of miscalculation and rambonizim.
If Israel wanted they could have wiped there backside with Hizbollah in the last conflict. Israel showed great restraint. If Hizbollah is stupid enough to drop bombs on an Israeli population center then the destruction to Syria will be brutal. The rumor during the last conflict was Israel told Syria if one bomb dropped on Tel Aviv Israel would load there planes with missles with small neuclear warheads and they would be used on Syria.So if you nutcakes need to start a war please do not go crying to the Un when you are destroyed.
Israel is on record as saying it will bomb civilian targets in Lebanon and Syria. The Second Lebanon War was lost in part by Israel because it targeted civilians, and it was launched on a pretext. An Israeli patrol went across the border, they got routed, and then Israel went berserk. This time they promise even more hurt for civilians, not actual military elements but they are making no bones about it at the highest levels, they are going to target civilians. If you do not understand why that is problematic for Israel and its future regardless of the outcome of its next aggression, then you are clearly part of the problem. In my opinion, you and those who act like you are the problem.
Baidatz means testicles in Arabic.
The fact that Israel counts the cost before entering into conflict is not reciprocated by the other side. In virtually every historical conflict with Israel's Arab neighbors, war was spurred on by the false Arab notion that Israel is weak and they are strong. Hizbullah may misread this sober account as proof that they are able to outgun Israel, which is still not the case in reality.
could be destroyed in a few bomb raids in 2006
I will not go into the old rhetoric about the Israel's stockpile offensive weapons..its simple. Hezbollah has M 600 missiles,scuds,kornets,anti aircraft batteries,silkworms,yakhont cruise missilles,hell they will get what they dont have as its their bussiness..so we go back to the old cliche..what are u gonna do about it? instead of ranting nonsense week in and week out,either put up or shut up..in other words,if you dont like the idea that Hezbollah can amass weapons,feel free to cross over and take them away from them..simple ain't it?
but in order to take them away they have to go there (as u state) but they don't know the way, or at least this is their argument.
You talk big, asking for a fight and then cry to the world when we slap you back! When will you guys stop loving being humiliated?
Actually , anything which raises the price Israel has to pay for attacking its neighbors increases the likelihood for peace.
in Lebanon and the destruction would be totally devestating. The last war and the destruction will look like baby soil. Israel will have no choice because there is no way to hit those rockets surgically. But there is no problem taking out entire towns infrastructure. Observation obviously doesn't observe. Israel doesn't attack its neighbours except defensively after being attacked of when Israeil is on the verge of being attacked. There is a very naive belieft that Israel went all out in its last war with Lebanon but all military analysts will concede that Israel, for political reasons and perhaps moral reasons, used only a tiny fraction of its power. Hence, we have a very lethal coctail developing which I hope never reaches the state of exploding.
THIS IS A PROVACATION, ISRAEL HAS NOT ATTACKED UNLESS PROVOKED! THE NUCLEAR SITES IN IRAC WERE CLEARLY A PROVACATION. WHAT SYRIA AND JORDAN ARE DOING IS TURNING THE WW3 CLOCK CLOSER TO IT'S START TIME
Only asses like you believe that an arms race by the parties that hate each other can increase chances for peace. The re-arming of Germany certainly helped peace preceding WWII ? Ne
If I livied next to a neighbor who felt justified in attacking "defensively" whenever it decided,to, I certainly would prefer being able to make such attack expensive. Think WMD.