Progress In Hezbollah/Lebanon/Israel Conflict?
By Justin Gardner | Related entries in Foreign Policy, The War On Terrorism, WarThe U.S. and France have apparently agreed on a resolution that could end the fighting. And I certainly stress “could.”
The U.S. and France agreed on a proposed United Nations Security Council resolution designed to end the fighting between Israel and the militant Islamic group Hezbollah in Lebanon. Lebanon and Qatar voiced reservations.The resolution calls for a “full cessation of hostilities,” including the “immediate” end of all Hezbollah attacks and “all offensive military operations” by Israel, according to a copy provided by the French mission to the UN. Hezbollah is classified as a terrorist organization by Israel and the U.S.
U.S. President George W. Bush is “happy” with the agreement and “signed off on it,” White House press secretary Tony Snow told reporters in Crawford, Texas, today. Jean-Marc de la Sabliere, the French envoy to the UN, called the draft a “unique opportunity for the people of Lebanon and Israel” during a press conference in New York.
This particular resolution calls for the release of the two Israeli soldiers held by Hezbollah, and what Bloomberg describes as “progress on resolving the fate of Lebanese prisoners held in Israel.” I’ll translate that to mean, “If you give us our guys, we’ll think about giving you back some of your guys…maybe…probably not.” However, I imagine that Lebanon will be fine with this so long as they don’t get bombed to kingdom come by Israel.
One question lingers though…what about Israel’s responsibility to leave Lebanon?
Praise was not unanimous. The ambassador for Qatar, the Security Council’s only Muslim member, said his country required further negotiations on some elements of the draft.“Today we call for a cessation of hostility, and what after that?” Nassir al-Nasser said. “The Israeli forces are on the territory of Lebanon. They should go back beyond the Blue Line,” he said, referring to the Israel-Lebanon border.
So this seems to be a sticking point, and one I don’t think Israel can avoid. Either they leave Lebanon or the subsequent outcry is just going to make this latest resolution null and void.
Still, is this World War III? Hardly.
More from the Guardian.
This entry was posted on Saturday, August 5th, 2006 and is filed under Foreign Policy, The War On Terrorism, War. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
August 5th, 2006 at 11:16 pm
Wait.
August 6th, 2006 at 1:43 am
Wait for what?
Israel got themselves into a position they couldn’t back down from. That’s not a war, and now we’re seeing the international community giving them a way to back down. I think it’ll happen, and most likely very soon.
August 6th, 2006 at 2:32 pm
well dont think so the two sides not evenly matched n muslims lack unity unfortunately so ww3 is not possible here.But yes Israel is the terrorist in this situation n resposible for the creation of Hizzbullah in the first place.
August 7th, 2006 at 1:17 pm
What do Iran & Syria have to gain from de-escalation? The first one to say “the condemnation of the international community” or “economic sanctions” needs to reel themselves back into reality. Not going to happen, no threat at all. Think of it this way, every time you see the Iranian pres. doing or saying something inflamatory, aggressive, hostile towards Israel or the U.S. - the price of oil stays high. It is in the Iranians interest to keep a low, slow, and increasing level of hostility with Israel and the U.S. An Islamic/West cold war does nothing but help Iran & Syria because they sitting on oil and the hostility increases the price, because the supply is attached to the tension & hostility. So they will play the line, like they have. The closer they can play it, the better, understanding, which I believe the Iranians do, that war is tremendously expensive — a lesson the Bush Administration should have known. The question is: What will Israel determine is in their best interest? Because of the incredibly close ties between the U.S. and Israel - economically & politically & militarily - most likely Israel won’t go to full scale regional war with Syria & Iran unless directed attacked by them (and “directly” is a word deserving of debate) with at least a tacit nod from Uncle Sam. The problem will be, if a less enthusiastic Israel supporter comes into the Oval Office. Then, Israel may see nothing to lose from regional conflict, which would force our hand the area. I think that as off today, there is a 50/50 chance we are in for a full scale regional war. Then won’t the neocons be happy.
August 13th, 2006 at 6:06 pm
i from lithuania so my view is totally different i know what is propaganda.
this hezbollah and arab propaganda concentration on human suffering. this time
you won. but do you truly won i don`t think so. truly war even did not started
now about 170 jews had died and you say this is defeat gets very funny.
jews will get only benefit from it. finally comic Lebanon army will be in south.
and pressure on Iran begins. its get funny when Arab can`t pronounce
hezbollah equal terrorism. and all world has to know that one jewish helicopter
was shot down. hezbollah scared to recognize what jews every day shoots about 20-40
hezbollah terrorists. so you can really start to count how much hezbollah terrorists
was killd :)
about civilians deaths it looks that arabs are illiterates than jews suggest to
run away it you care you will get it i don`t understand womens which don`t care
abuot there children, which with such joy speak you know i don`t have money so i stay
with my children in war zone it`s truly shows everything. that hezbollah
supporters are like Nazis who are ready to sacrifice theirs and theirs
children lifes for hezbollah.
than silly arabs talk that hezbollah is a part of Lebanon and that hezbollah
legally elected
i can say one sentence it you aren’t? stupid to understand it:
Hitler was elected also
it reminds Vietnam do you know why USA lost war because USA could not attack north Vietnam.
because Vietnam was supported by Russia and could start World War III.
so what do we learnt from this
that jews first need to cut supply from Iran so we leave Lebanon for few moments aside and go
to work on top secret project Irans regimen change.