Israeli General: In New War, Hezbollah Will be Destroyed
General Gadi Eisenkot, head of the Israeli army’s northern division, told the Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper that Israel would destroy Lebanon-based terrorist organization Hezbollah completely if it would once again ignite a major campaign against the Jewish nation-state.
“What happened in the Dahiya quarter of Beirut in 2006 will happen in every village from which Israel is fired on,” he said.
“We will apply disproportionate force on it (village) and cause great damage and destruction there. From our standpoint, these are not civilian villages, they are military bases,” he added.
Although some pro-Israel hawks will undoubtedly celebrate the general’s comments, it seems to me that he should have expressed himself more carefully, and in a less aggressive manner. These comments will be published everywhere, also in the Middle East. When something happens between Israel and Hezbollah (or Hizbullah), Israel will be instantly accused of acting in breach with human rights, using disproportionate force, and purposefully striking destroying and killing civilian targets.
That will work against Israel. It will cause the international community to once again condemn the country defending itself – Israel. Israel will be forced to withdraw, and if not, will be punished through other means. Additionally, it will result in Arabs uniting once again. This is perfect propaganda material for Hezbollah: use the words of an Israeli general to convince uninformed individuals that Israel is the bad guy in this story.
Of course, that does not mean that Israel should not act in such an aggressive fashion if attacked. It only means that it should not announce such strategies beforehand.*
* Explanation: to me, such an approach will fire back as well. Hezbollah will simply go to other parts of the region, where it will be able to count on more support than ever before and, thus, more new members, willing to fight against Israel. In such a case, Israel will simply have to fight a major war against Hezbollah every, say, five years. There is not much use in doing so.
Instead, Israel would be wise to come up with a combination of military force and diplomatic action. Individuals living in Southern Lebanon should be made clear that they have other choices than Hezbollah. At this moment, Hezbollah dominates the scene, especially through its charity which helps the poor get by. If Israel truly wants to destroy the terrorist organization, it would be wise to fight them on this front – charity, local development, etc. – as well.
The U.N, amnesty international, and human rights watch, all sepratly concluded that during the 2006 war, hezbollah did not use civillian buildings to launch from, or store rockets. Hezbollah, under international law, has the right, the unquestionable right, to defend themselves. Israel currently occupies (illigally) Ghajar and shebba, this gives hezbollah the right to liberate their lands by the use of force. Just like the french did in WWII against the Nazis. Are the words of this general not state-sponsered terrorism? Hezbollah has been proven innoscent of this claim of using human sheilds (israel was however found guilty), so for him to say that he will attack and purposly kill civillians… what is this? TERRORISM. This is the real israel. A "country" with no regard to human life outside its "borders". A country with no regard for International resolutions. This is your "israel" ladies and gentlemen, a state-sponsered terrorist.
Glad I don’t live in the "villages" being discussed by the General. Some jerk I’ve never seen in my village before fires a rocket at Israel and I pay for it! Doesn’t seem quite fair to me.
To Allan the MartianHow’s the weather up there? Amnesty definitely accused Hezbo of war crimes by operating from villages and shooting 2000 missiles with ball bearings for one and only purpose: murder Israel civilians. They have no military purpose as the lack any accuracy. By using them, you become a war criminal. Israel has asked Hezbanon and the UN to find a suitable solution for the Hezbanese side of Gajar since Hezbo used it to lunch 192 unprovoked attacks from it and murdered 30 israeli civilians and soldiers. Israel will legally hold to it until Hezbanon will exercise sovereignty over it and not let Hezbo terrorists to use it again for launching attacks.As to Shaba, can you site a UN resolution indicating that Shaba is Hezbanese? Just becasue you CALAIM something does not make it right. I claim the Effeil Tower ok?Advise your friends the terrorist that if they don’t want to suffer the fate of the Nazis, they should sit realy realy quitely and shut up. Any claims they have, they shold bring it to the UN.
Lets not forget that neoliberals and neoconservatives share many philosophies. Classical liberals and conservatives share many same opinions on foreigm policies.