IDF Frustrated By Lack Of Victory
Ryan R. Jones - All Headline News Correspondent Jerusalem, Israel (AHN) - Senior Israel Defense Forces (IDF) officers are upset that they have not been given a real chance to defeat Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, The Jerusalem Post reported Thursday. They see flurry of ceasefire activity at the UN as the beginning of the end of Israel's war against the Lebanese terror group. Indeed, just hours after approving an expanded ground offensive in southern Lebanon Wednesday, Israel's defense minister put in an urgent call to IDF chief Dan Halutz to halt the main invasion force in its tracks in order to give diplomatic efforts one last chance. Some 40,000 reserve troops were left sitting on the northern border, and few have any illusions that they will be permitted to restart their advance into enemy territory. And failing to finish the battle, they fear, will only set the stage for future conflict. Said one senior officer to The Post, "Diplomatic processes will not achieve the right effect. The key is the military operation. That is the only way to stop Hezbollah." Others said that from the start the political leadership has been tying the army's hands, as it looks over its shoulder for international reaction to every step taken in Lebanon. Said another officer, "A military force always needs to be on the offensive, pushing forward and keeping the enemy on its toes. When you sit still for too long, you turn into a targe |
