War in the Middle East - Part Two.

As the events unfold in the Middle East, I would like to spend some time to explain Jason’s questions. (Ha I’m really glad that someone asked me a question!)

“How true is it that the "entire aim" of Israel is to create a 'buffer zone' so tat missiles can't hit them?”

I would not say that the main aim of Israel’s incursion into the Lebanon is to create. “Entire” would be a wrong choice of word to use, so I apologize for the earlier post. Here’s a brief summary of what I do know regarding Israel’s aims in Lebanon.

1. The immediate release of the two captured IDF soldiers by Hezbollah, Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev.
2. The immediate disarmament of Hezbollah
3. An end to the rocket attacks from South Lebanon into Northern Israel.

Israeli artillery striking at Hezbollah positions

The strategic aim of Israel in sending their troops into Southern Lebanon is to create a “Buffer Zone” of at least a few km to stop Hezbollah from using these area as a launch pad for it’s Katyusha and Fajr 3 missiles. For the past 4 days, the Israel Defense Force has been fighting a bitter battle against Hezbollah positions in the South. At least 8 Israeli soldiers died in the fighting (most of these were NSF, young men like you and me).

But a tragedy that shook the world happened. On the 25^th of July, Israeli artillery and air strike hit a United Nation outpost, killing 4 UN soldiers. This mistake gave Hezbollah and the rest of the anti-Israeli nations fresh ammo to hit out at Israel.

Regarding the disarmament of Hezbollah, it’s almost near to impossible. Created in 1982 after the invasion of Lebanon by Israel (which ironically was to root out the Palestinian Liberation Organization or PLO from Southern Lebanon), they’re facing the same prospect of facing one the mightiest military organization in the world as did the PLO back in 1982.

Flag of Hezbollah "Party of God"

But it’s not that easy to root out Hezbollah. Why?

1. They’ve got the support of the people. To keen students of war and political upheavals, winning the psychological war is far more important than winning the physical war. To be able to gain the support of the populace, you would have one of the greatest advantages in your hands. And in this political game, the anti-Israeli voices are much numerous than the pro-Israeli voices (though I must say that these minority voices are strong voices, especially in the American Senate). Hezbollah is widely supported becuase they can dish out what they'd promised - better living conditions, basic social welfare to the common people, clinics, schools, charities, all under the banner of Hezbollah. How can Israel ever fight against such overwhelming support? Win the hearts of the people, you win half the war.

2. Hezbollah is a terrorist organization, a guerilla group that has no allegiance to any state. In 1967, Israel crushed the combine might of Egypt, Syria, and Jordan in a spectacular military offensive in just 6 days. Back then Israel could win because there was someone for Israeli Merkava tanks to shoot at. Now in 2006, they are fighting an “army” that shoots and runs, that hides itself among the populace. In such a war, you cannot win by superior firepower. And in this case, civilian casualties would be very high, since sometimes you can’t really tell the difference between a civilian, or a Hezbollah fighter.

Hezbollah Recruits give the Nazi Salute at their graduation

3. You have to kill the ideology, not the people. What makes Hezbollah and other Islamic terrorist organization unique is in it’s ideology – the complete destruction of Israel and the creation of an Islamic Palestine. And these groups are willing to sacrifice their lives for this idea. Suicide bombings, terrorist incursions, hijackings etc. And when you kill one terrorist, they would be another 10 who are willing to take his place. How can you remove such a group of people who are willing to die in the first place unless you put an end to the ideology that inspires them to? I see the situation as impossible. Hezbollah is definitely here to stay.

“did Iran REALLY supplied their missiles? or did Hezbollah bought them or stole them? is this a fact or your opinion?”

To answer that question, you got to know the roots of the origins of Hezbollah. Formed in 1982 to combat the Israeli occupation in Southern Lebanon, Hezbollah achieved it’s aim in 2000 when Israel announced the complete withdrawal of all her forces from Southern Lebanon.

Below are some points not only on why many believe that Iran has supplied missiles to Hezbollah for use against Israel, but also why Iran is involved in this conflict.

1. Both follow a strict Shiite interpretation of Islam. In fact, Hezbollah was formed by followers of the late Ayatollah Khomeini. It may sound like it’s not a big thing, but in the Muslim world, especially in the Middle East, Islamic denominations are very important. Much blood has been spilled over this. The base has been set for a mutual understanding and a possible alliance in the volatile situation in the Middle East. Hezbollah wants Israel to be destroyed; Iran wants Israel to be destroyed. What perfect companions there make!

2. Hezbollah operatives are trained in Iran by the Revolutionary Guards, especially in the knowledge of sabotage, insurgency and espionage. This is a well established fact.

3. There were cases when Israel intercepted boatloads of weapons sent from Iran to Hamas, and even Hezbollah. The last major interception in 2003 saw the confiscation of not only arms and munitions, but manuals on rocketry and even a Hezbollah bomb – maker. This clearly shows the intricate working relationship between the terrorist groups in the Middle East, and proof on the establishment of arm smuggling routes.

4. For years, Hezbollah has been firing missiles and mortars into Northern Israel, especially in the region of Galilee. But ever since the conflict started, Israel has endured never-seen before missile attacks that have reached even the city of Haifa. According to Intel, Hezbollah has about 13000 Iranian made Fadj – 3 medium range missiles, and unknown numbers of C-802 missiles. One of such missiles hit and damaged a Israeli missile frigate off the coast of Beirut, killing four sailors. It was radar guided, and homed in onto the ship. Such technology is impossible for Hezbollah to have; clearly it is supplied by Iran. Iran also supplies missiles to Hezbollah via the Beirut – Damascus road.

A Hezbollah Missile hits Haifa.

5. This is classical case of a PROXY war. It happened back then between the superpowers back in the Cold War, with America and the Soviet Union engaging in “war” using Israel and the Arab nations. Now, with the collapse of the Soviet Union, the world is faced with a new threat – the Theocratic nation of Iran. And everyone knows that Iran is a nation hell-bent on destroying Israel, with the latest rhetoric of its President Ahmadinejad to “wipe Israel off the map of the world” proving it. But Iran knows she can’t face a nuclear-capable Israel head on, (that’s the reason many believed why Iran is so keen on exploring nuclear technology – to neutralize the threat of Israeli nuclear warheads.) so Iran engages in what we call a PROXY WAR, using other entities to engage in active combat instead of your own forces. Hezbollah is perfect for Iran to use as a PROXY force. Their ideology is similar, their hatred shared, in fact, Hezbollah has great respect for the Ayotollahs, Iran’s supreme religious leaders. So in summary, Iran hits Israel with Hezbollah, and Hezbollah bears the brunt of the punishment from Israel, and Iran watches from afar and is safe. An attack on Iran from Israel would trigger a massive showdown between the many anti-Israeli states, and bring Israel’s popular and international support down. It would be a blood bath.

So in view of Jason’s questions, I can say that; No, Israel wants to do more instead of only establishing a buffer zone. And yes, it is a proven fact that Iran supplies missiles to Hezbollah to be used against Israel.

Perhaps the next time you see me, we can talk about it.

Or maybe you would see me on CNN being interviewed about the situation in the Middle East. Haha.

Sources:

CNN

BBC Online

Newsweek

Time Online

And various historical books that I've got rotting away on my cupboard.