Shockwave from Shebaa
Hizbullah remains defiant in the face of increasing US and Israeli condemnation of its activities, reports Mohalhel Fakih from Beirut
There is no guarantee that the Lebanon-Israel front will remain calm if the United States attacks Iraq and the fighting between Israelis and Palestinians escalates. Hizbullah has sent a strong signal by striking at Israeli troops occupying the Shebaa Farms on 22 January, that any pressure on the group to halt its military operations will fail. This comes amid US preparations for a possible war in Iraq.
The attack broke a five-month cessation of hostilities along the volatile border. Israeli troops retaliated by killing one civilian, injuring another, and damaging at least 10 homes in the border region.
Hizbullah fighters are "not on vacation", the group's Secretary- General Sayyid Hassan Nasrallah said. He told a ceremony in Beirut's southern suburb that Hizbullah has been preparing "day and night to face the possible and upcoming dangers". He categorically rejected media reports that claimed Hizbullah had committed itself to a truce under heavy international and regional pressure. Nasrallah was clear in vowing to pursue military operations, as long as "Israeli occupation... and threats continue".
Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon warned against a border flare- up with Lebanon, holding Beirut, Damascus, and Tehran responsible for any escalation. That was followed by a blunt threat from visiting US Congressman Darrell Issa, warning the group to reveal information about four Israeli military personnel it has been holding to legitimise itself in the eyes of the US, and avoid becoming a target in the US "war on terrorism".
Hizbullah has rejected its inclusion on an American terrorism list, saying it is engaged in a legitimate struggle to liberate Lebanese land that is under Israeli occupation.
Observers in Beirut have argued that there was a two-fold Hizbullah response to the almost simultaneous threats made by Israel's Sharon and Congressman Issa. The first came in a statement by the group, claiming that Issa was saying nothing new. Hizbullah reiterated calls on Israel to release Lebanese and Arab detainees in exchange for information on the four Israelis. Hizbullah's strike on the Shebaa Farms region, analysts believed, was the second. The daily Al-Nahar newspaper in Beirut said the US Congressman attempted to "push Hizbullah into a corner", but failed.
Hizbullah's mortar and Katyusha rocket attack on the occupied Shebaa Farms did not result in any casualties, but Israel's response was swift and deadly. It bombed civilian targets, killing an 82-year- old man, which indicated that any fighting along the border could degenerate into a full-fledged war, given the group's long-standing pledge to protect civilians and avenge any casualties. Hizbullah pointed out, when announcing its operation, that Israel had violated Lebanese airspace and territorial waters 52 times that week.
Kassem Kassir, a Beirut analyst, said since Israel's May 2000 pullout from southern Lebanon, operations by Hizbullah have been well examined and have taken regional developments into consideration. "It was a signal... that the unannounced truce could be shaken and Hizbullah is ready to face any Israeli offensive against Lebanon, which could coincide with a US war on Iraq," Kassir wrote in the Al-Mustaqbal newspaper.
Hizbullah launched its latest operation during a visit to Damascus by US Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs William Burns, to discuss the standoff over Iraq. "Syria could not have approved this attack due to the fact that the American envoy was there when it took place," a European diplomat who wished to remain unidentified told Al-Ahram Weekly. His comments in effect dismissed Israeli charges that Syria and Iran mastermind Hizbullah operations.
"If Hizbullah pulls too hard on the rope and provokes an escalation, we will react, and that will not be at all agreeable for Lebanon and Syria, whom we consider entirely responsible for what is going on," General Benny Gantz, commander of forces in northern Israel said. His accusations came on the heels of charges by Israeli officials that Iran transferred missiles that are capable of hitting Israeli cities to Hizbullah via Damascus, a charge that was categorically denied by Iran and Syria.
Tit-for-tat allegations and the latest attack have increased tensions on the border and confirmed that both sides are on alert. "It is a clear attempt to provoke an escalation," Israeli government spokesman, Raanan Gissin said. "We are not afraid," Hizbullah's Nasrallah responded.
