Originally posted by Peyres

sorry, where in those articles does an Israeli official admit they are openely targetting civilians?

The Israeli chief of staff, Lt. Gen. Dan Halutz, said the airstrikes would continue until the Israeli soldiers were returned and the Lebanese government took responsibility for Hezbollah's actions. Israel also wanted to deliver, he said, "a clear message to both greater Beirut and Lebanon that they've swallowed a cancer and have to vomit it up, because if they don't their country will pay a very high price. " Asked about possible Syrian intervention, Halutz said: "There's no reason for the Syrians to jump into a pool they might drown in. "

When President Bush thanked Prime Minister Blair for the gift of a "sweater" yesterday, it was code. Bush was expressing appreciation for London's help in planning imminent secret operations to overthrow Bashar Assad in Syria, and eliminate Iran's nuclear weapons program.


Their conversation didn't make these operations explicit, but other intelligence indicates that the U.S. and Britain have long been cooperating militarily. Given Israel's clever diversion in attacking Hezbollah in Lebanon, the timing may be just right for a double strike.

The IDF is also anticipating a possible Syrian attack on Israel in response to the ongoing IDF operations in Lebanon. It is also known that Syria has increased its forces along the border out of fear in Damascus that Israel might attack Syria.

Defense officials told the Post last week that they were receiving indications from the United States that the US would be interested in seeing Israel attack Syria.