Israel fighter jets stage mock raids over Beirut (Houston Chronicle)

[seafan]

(Note to mods: article is 3 hours past LBN rules, but has been hidden by the Kerry non-issue.)


Israel fighter jets stage mock raids

By ANNA JOHNSON Associated Press Writer
© 2006 The Associated Press
October 31, 2006 Oct. 31, 2006, 10:38PM

BEIRUT, Lebanon — Israel's fighter jets roared over Hezbollah strongholds Tuesday, staging mock raids in its strongest show of force since its war with the guerrilla group ended more than two months ago.

The flyovers, which startled many Lebanese with fresh memories of the war, highlight the unsettled tensions between Israel and its northern neighbor, whose political situation has grown increasingly more uncertain.

Hours later, Hezbollah's leader Hassan Nasrallah claimed the guerrilla group had reinforced its arsenal and said "serious negotiations" were under way over the fate of two Israeli soldiers whose July 12 capture by Hezbollah sparked the monthlong fighting in Lebanon.

The Israeli fighter jets swooped low over south Beirut at least six times in the morning before soaring back into the sky, Lebanese security officials said. The jets could be heard throughout the city, and residents climbed on roofs and balconies to watch.

snip

An Israeli military official said the flights were part of routine reconnaissance activity.

"It was not to send any message. We do this on a regular basis," the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity because of military regulations.

The mock raids came only hours after U.N. envoy Terje Roed-Larsen told the Security Council that the Lebanese government had reported that arms were being smuggled into Lebanon from Syria since the end of the 34-day Israel-Hezbollah war.

[ThomCat]

1. But that's not terrorism?

If the whole point wasn't to inspire terror then what was it?

[Solo_in_MD]

2. Recce is not mock raids...more hyperbole and little more

[bemildred]

3. 'Overflights aim to pressure world'

An internal IDF document says the air force's controversial flights over Lebanon are intended in part to pressure the international community to take action to stop arms smuggling to Hizbullah guerrillas and to release two abducted Israeli soldiers, a senior Defense Ministry official said Thursday.

The document, titled "Strategic diplomatic messages: the army must continue overflights to secure international pressure," was approved by chief of staff, Lt. Gen. Dan Halutz, the official said.

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The overflights came only hours after UN envoy Terje Roed-Larsen told the Security Council that the Lebanese government had reported that arms were being smuggled into the country from Syria, and a few hours before Hizbullah leader Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah was scheduled to appear on a Lebanese television channel.

France and European Union officials reiterated Tuesday that Israeli flights in Lebanon's airspace were violations of Lebanese sovereignty and needed to be stopped.

JPost

[Englander]

4. Provocation in Lebanon's skies

By Haaretz Editorial

In recent days, Israel Air Force aircraft have repeatedly flown over Beirut to signal Israel's dissatisfaction with the diplomatic situation that emerged following the war and with the nonimplementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701, which brought an end to the fighting after it was accepted by all sides. The assumption that a provocation of this sort over Lebanon's airspace will somehow further Israel's interests has been part of Israel's security policy for years. Using supersonic booms as a menacing harassment has become part of the Israeli government's operational arsenal: a sort of forceful message that is supposed to hint that Israel is capable of much more, but for now is making do with the minimum.

Having destroyed the Dahiya quarter in Beirut, it is doubtful that the air force needs to send Lebanon any further signals about its capabilities. The message has apparently been fully understood, but it is doubtful that it had brought about the desired results. It may have even achieved the opposite effect: strengthening Hezbollah as a political actor in Lebanon.

There is nothing like overflights of Beirut, especially the kind that terrorize the residents, to help Hezbollah justify its continued arming against Israel. Creating a constant atmosphere of war, instead of a permanent cease-fire, makes things easier for those interested in such fighting. The assassination of Hassan Nasrallah might also bolster Hezbollah's standing instead of weakening it.

Lebanon is experiencing an internal political crisis that could alter the character of the state and elevate Hezbollah and its supporters to power. It is doubtful that this is the sort of outcome that those supporting the war thought about when they decided to respond with force to the abduction of two soldiers. Lebanon's Shi'a population maintains that after the war, Fouad Siniora's government neglected them and is in no hurry to rebuild southern Lebanon. The argument that the Lebanese government is not treating the country's largest minority fairly strengthens the Shi'a camp. It is on the basis of this claim that Nasrallah is demanding the establishment of a national unity government in which Hezbollah and the other Shi'a party, Amal, would be properly represented. Nasrallah is also trying to include representatives of Michel Aoun, who is considered pro-Syrian, in the government. If his demands are accepted, the Shi'a bloc will have veto power over all government decisions.

In such a sensitive situation, it is doubtful that Israel's provocation over Beirut was wise. The violation of Lebanon's sovereign airspace is in itself a violation of the cease-fire agreement, and when its purpose was political rather than defense-related, it seems doubtful that it reflected a far-sighted diplomatic vision. Nonetheless, it is clear that Israel should not accept the continued flow of weapons from Syria into Lebanon.

The flights over Beirut are currently helping Hezbollah rather than hurting it. There are enough diplomatic ways for Israel to express its protest. The violation of Lebanese sovereignty should not be considered the first resort, nor should it be seen as a trivial matter.

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/783390.html

[Englander]

5. U.S. demand IAF cease overflights in Lebanese airspace

U.S. officials demand IAF cease overflights in Lebanese airspace

By Aluf Benn, Haaretz Correspondent and Haaretz Service

Two Bush administration officials demanded that Israel Air Force overflights of Lebanon be halted, saying that such flights undermine the standing of Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora.

The two U.S. diplomats, David Welch and Elliott Abrams, held short meetings Thursday with Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni.

The meeting with Olmert was dedicated to preparations for his visit to the United States and his meeting with President George W. Bush in 10 days' time.

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/783412.html