War news, with snark

The ground invasion continues into Hezbullah strongholds—which turn out not to be so strong when they face real soldiers rather than women and children.

After seizing control of the Maroun al-Ras village in south Lebanon, the next phase in the IDF’s ground operation in Lebanon is set to begin.

Israeli forces are expected to slowly tighten their grip on villages in the area while implementing the lessons learned from Maroun al-Ras. The special forces will focus on the more problematic villages such as Bint Jbeil, which is dubbed “Hizbullah’s capital in southern Lebanon.”

Paratroop and Golani battalions, accompanied by armored corps forces and air cover, have started advancing in the direction of the south Lebanese town of Bint Jbeil early Monday morning.

A senior IAF official said that helicopters and warplanes accompanied the forces’ movement on the ground and fired at the area before and during the invasion. The air force has also provided the troops on the ground with intelligence.

The officer added that the IAF is continuing to target Hizbullah leaders and the organization’s command and control abilities. He noted that the force struck on Sunday several bikers that were operating as Hizbullah’s delivery people.

No doubt those bikers were added to the “civilian” death toll. The IDF estimates that half the casualties are terrorists, and the world media are simply not quoting the IDF. Gee. I wonder why? (Israeli Double Standard Time.)

Rocket launchers are being destroyed.

In the last twenty hours, the IAF has attacked nine rocket launchers aimed at Haifa. A senior officer said that some of the launchers had 14 barrels. Obtaining this information is a big achievement because it helps Israel understand the method of operation of the Hizbullah, he stated.

However, the officer also noted that there is a large quantity of short-range launchers making it difficult to destroy the whole arsenal.

Unfortunately, too true. Rockets are landing in northern Israel again. But the supply routes have been cut off (see Dave’s reporting/analysis).

The fighting is already underway there. It’s heavy fighting, but the IDF has already won a crucial battle.

Two soldiers sustained moderate wounds and the rest were lightly hurt. Among the wounded was a battalion commander who was moderately hurt by an explosive device in the Bint Jbail area.

IDF officials said earlier that troops had taken control of a hilltop near Bint Jbail after a heavy artillery barrage.

The end is near, then—they have the high ground. (You really have to click that link. Trust me.)

I can translate this into a five-word sentence:

IDF Chief of Staff Dan Halutz responded Monday to Hizbullah chief Hassan Nasrallah’s statements regarding the fighting in Lebanon, and said that in his next speech the Sheikh will be more careful about what he says.

“Bint Jbeil is a symbol of Hizbullah. Nasrallah gave a speech there and I assume that in his next speech, if there will be one, he will choose his words wisely,” said Halutz during a visit to the Tel Hashomer base to meet with new army recruits.

The five-word sentence? “In your face, Chipmunk Cheeks!”

On the southern front: This is precious. Ismail Haniyeh is begging for American intervention to save him. (Over 100 terrorists have been killed since they kidnapped Cpl. Gilad Shalit.)

“All that we ask the American administration is to take a moral stance toward the Palestinian people, and the Palestinian suffering and to bear its responsibility as a superpower in this world,” he told The Associated Press in an interview. He called on America “to restrain the Israeli aggression and stop it.”

I think the President was quite clear about how to stop it, schmuck: Stop rocketing Israel, and return Cpl. Shalit.

I have a few more posts in mind about the war, but I’m pacing myself. And not watching the news. Don’t forget to donate to your local Jewish Federation (or mine, if you like) to help raise money to move south the Israeli civilians who can’t afford to move themselves.