Multiple Hezbollah Terror Strikes Set To Go Off This Weekend? (Plus: Arab World Ready To Cut Off Assad?)
Yeah, we dunno:
Security forces are on high alert in Israel and at Israeli and Jewish institutions abroad before the end of the 40-day mourning period for Hezbollah terror chief Imad Mughniyah... The mourning period ends on Sunday... Israeli military officials are particularly concerned about possible simultaneous attacks in Israel and on Israeli diplomatic offices and Jewish institutions abroad... Security officials say that Hezbollah wants to "reset the balance of terror vis-a-vis Israel to zero" in the wake of Mughniyah's death, to deter Israel from future attacks on Hezbollah's leaders. To do this, the organization would have to carry out a major attack that would draw international attention.
Obviously Hezbollah will have to respond to Mughniyah's execution. But the Lebanese political crisis is reaching a point where the March 14th folks are openly talking about civil war. Will Hezbollah really risk dragging Lebanon into another military confrontation with the IDF? The last one cost them so dearly that Nasrallah was begging for a ceasefire within a couple days.
On the other hand - the Arab world's condemnations of Syria are getting so shrill that Assad might be tempted to unleash Hezbollah - if only as a last ditch effort to unite Arab leaders against the mendacious Zionists:
We have seen the true colors of Syria. It is known for its lies, failures and tricks. It has been put to several tests in the past but it has failed them. We cannot help but wonder if it is possible to allow such a regime to lead the Arab League. One of the conditions specified for taking the chairmanship of the league is for a nation to have good relations with a majority of the Arab countries. Syria seems to be the opposite of this condition as it is in constant disagreement with other Arab nations. Syria has exhausted all means to express its enmity towards Saudi Arabia. Besides using 'dirty' political tactics against Egypt, Syria has also instigated conflicts with Yemen, Libya, Morocco, Jordan, Iraq and Sudan. Syria's hands are stained with Lebanese blood.
That was an editorial from this morning's Kuwait Arab News. And it's not like Hezbollah isn't in position to attack. They've already infiltrated the West Bank to such an extent that it was reasonable to assume that they were involved in the Mercaz Harav massacre:
A shadowy group Palestinian security officials say is a front for Hezbollah claimed responsibility for the rampage. Hezbollah has long operated behind the scenes in the Palestinian territories, funneling millions of dollars to militant groups for attacks against Israel, according to Israeli and Palestinian security officials. The Lebanese group's influence has become increasingly visible in the West Bank since last month's assassination of its military chief, Imad Mughniyah, in an explosion in Syria that Hezbollah has blamed on Israel.
The rest of the attacks, meanwhile, are ostensibly going to be aimed at Israeli and Jewish targets overseas. Hezbollah's Iranian sponsors have been openly bragging about this part of their glorious resistance groups' revenge strategy:
Israel is in a susceptible position outside of the occupied territories, and any expansion of the war would impose heavy financial and military costs on the Zionist regime. Although Israel uses the most sophisticated surveillance in its war against the resistance fighters in the occupied territories, it is impossible for it to protect its interests all over the world.
So a full scale war in the Middle East by some time next week? Not out of the question. Good job State Department.
References:
* Hezbollah becoming more visible in West Bank after Mughniyah death [Ha'aretz]
* Palestinians: Hamas, Hezbollah cooperated on Jerusalem terror attack [Ha'aretz]
* Hezbollah’s new tactics [Tehran Times]
* Security forces fear double Hezbollah revenge attack in Israel, abroad [Ha'aretz]
* Kouchner Pessimistic About Lebanon's Presidential Elections [Nahar]
* Hezbollah Probably Lost the War, But They May Never Have Been In It To Win [MR]
* Hezbollah to Arab Countries: We're Losing the War. Quick, Someone Impose a Ceasefire. [MR]
* Save summit from Syrians [Arab Times]
* Hezbollah's New Museum Is Breathtakingly Ungrateful For Massive US Help During Lebanon II [MR]
Previously:
* State Department Strategy Of Shielding Hezbollah During Lebanon II Working Out Great As Presidential Elections Postponed Again
* Hezbollah Now Threatening To Start War To Protect Drug Dealers, Petty Criminals
* Take Away Hezbollah's Collaborators, Human Shields, And Useful Idiots. Disband UNIFIL Now.
