Israel braces for July war with up to five enemies

[ohio2007]

JERUSALEM — Israel is preparing for an imminent war with Iran, Syria and/or their non-state clients.
Israeli military intelligence has projected that a major attack could come from any of five adversaries in the Middle East. Officials said such a strike could spark a war as early as July 2007.

On Sunday, Israeli military intelligence chief Maj. Gen. Amos Yadlin told the Cabinet that the Jewish state faces five adversaries in what could result in an imminent confrontation. Yadlin cited Iran, Syria, Hizbullah, Hamas and Al Qaida.

"Each of these adversaries is capable of sparking a war in the summer," Yadlin was quoted as saying.


Yadlin said Hamas could be planning a major attack to divert attention away from efforts by the Palestinian Authority to isolate the Gaza Strip. He said Syria might be promoting such an attack.


http://www.worldtribune.com/worldtribune/WTARC/2007/me_israel_06_25.asp

[BushOut06]

1. Reminds me of the 70's Batman movie

Let's see, you got the Joker, Penguin, Riddler, and Catwoman. Oh what the hell, let's throw in Two Face while we're at it.

[rwheeler31]

2. I can no longer connect.

You heve become as ugly as your enimies.

[Lee_n_Tenn]

3. Just like the Bush admin.. they tell you they are gonna do something bad before they do it..

and, of course, there are no consequences

[Dhalgren]

4. Does anyone really believe this? Who are they trying to fool?

No one in their right mind believes that either Iran or Syria would "attack" Israel. For what purpose? To what end? Hamas? Maybe Hamas might launch some kind of half-assed "terrorist" attack on Israel, but they are not a creditable foe for Israel - it would just give Israel an excuse to annihilate them. Hizbollah, is a fairly serious threat, but, again, only in an isolated way. And the great boogey-man, Al Qaeda? Well, everyone has to keep an eye out for them - their like the Grendal... :eyes:

[sabbat hunter]

5. well lets see

hamas could very well attack israel, as could hizbollah.

both are funded by syria and iran. syria pretty much gives hizbollah its marching orders a well.

so syria and iran could try to attack israel thru their proxies hamas and hizbollah. israel would then have every right to strike back, including at the puppet masters.

[Dhalgren]

6. There just isn't enough blood in the world, is there?

[azurnoir]

7. Well Lebanon already deprived them

now didn't they, by dealing with the problems in the Palestinian camps themselves, weird thing you'd think that Hizbollah would be helping the militants out more-
Israel take on Iran??? They will lose without American help, the same is possible with Syria which has better relations with other Arab countries then Iran(they aren't Arabs). So Hamas is the best and easiest target, but I think Fatah is being lined up for that and a joint Israeli-Fatah attack will evaporate the last particle of credibility Fatah may have with the Palestinians.

[Shaktimaan]

8. Funny about that, eh?

You WOULD think that Hezbollah would be doing something to aid the Palestinian camps that are being bombed, considering they supposedly launched last summer's war to aid the Palestinians in Gaza. Or if not them, then surely UNIFIL should be doing something to help. They are there to stop stuff like this from happening, aren't they?

The fact of the matter is that Hezbollah doesn't really give a shit about the Palestinians. And UNIFIL is worthless as a peacekeeping force. Often they can exacerbate and complicate the situation instead of quelling it. Such as when Hezbollah began launching attacks on Israel from areas directly adjacent to UNIFIL troops. Israel's response undoubtedly hits the UN as well as Hezbollah, so if Israel responds they get slaughtered in the foreign press. Thus, UNIFIL offers Hezbollah some degree of protection against Israeli retaliation, then the tactic becomes more widespread. Hezbollah sure are innovators, you have to hand it to them. They are almost singlehandedly responsible for making the suicide bomb into the icon it is today.

Israel would lose against Iran? Well, that depends on what their mission is, doesn't it? Israel would never attempt a full scale ground invasion, nor do they have a desire or need to. Israel would be interested in taking out Iran's nuclear ambitions. Honestly, I have no idea whether they are capable of doing so, or what Iran's likely response would be and whether Israel is prepared to handle it. And for all the speculation, I'd be willing to bet that very few average citizens (armchair theorists such as myself) could predict this answer with any degree of accuracy.

Syria has better relations with some Arab states. Iran has better relations with others. Aside from the Arab/Persian thing there's the sunni/shia thing. Not to mention the complex web of conflicting interests and intra-state friction between different political factions. Fatah may not have much credibility, but neither does Hamas right now. And I'd be willing to bet you $100 that we aren't going to see a joint fatah/Israel attack on Gaza anytime, even remotely soon. It was international news that Israel even permitted Fatah to train for expanded police/border duties, in the west bank! And don't forget what happened the last time there were joint patrols of Fatah and Israeli police, (not soldiers!) One of the Palestinian policemen turned on his Israeli counterpart and shot him. Do you honestly think, for even a second, that the Israelis are going to try and coordinate a joint invasion with them? Please... don't mistake leniency for benevolence. Israel and Fatah are not allies just yet.