By Ryan Jones
Jul 18, 2006
Israeli ground forces moved into southern Lebanon Monday in what officials said was a limited operation aimed at destroying Hizb'allah outposts and laying the groundwork for a buffer zone.
An Israeli government spokesman told the Associated Press:
"Israeli ground troops entered southern Lebanon to attack Hezb'allah bases on the border."
The incursion force promptly returned to Israeli territory after completing its mission.
A senior army officer later reported to the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee that Israeli ground forces had leveled a one-kilometer deep swathe of land on the Lebanese side of the border in order to prevent Hizb'allah from reestablishing its bases.
Defense Minister Amir Peretz told reporters Israel intends to create a new buffer zone:
"We intend to complete this operation. We have no intention of allowing anyone to stop us before we complete the creation of a buffer zone."
Peretz Monday approved a limited call-up of IDF reservists to free up regular forces currently battling "Palestinian" terrorists in Judea and Samaria to take part in operations in the north. Three reserve battalions will be included in the emergency draft.
Nevertheless, Cabinet Minister Ophir Pines-Paz told Ynet Israel will not launch a sustained ground offensive in Lebanon, even if Hizb'allah manages to hit Tel Aviv.
"I do not want to even think of the possibility that Hizbullah will attack [Greater Tel Aviv], but either way, no one is suggesting a ground operation at present time."
Israel's air force Monday reported destroying a Hizb'allah missile-launching device and several Iranian-made Zelzal missiles with a range of 200 kilometers. Tel Aviv is situated only 120 kilometers from the Lebanese border.
In other anti-terror news, Israeli forces continued to operate in Palestinian Authority-controlled northern Gaza Monday, killing eight terrorists.
Deputy Chief of General Staff Maj.-Gen. Moshe Kaplinski told The Jerusalem Post that the terrorist infrastructure in Gaza has been degraded by Israel's actions there.
"Kassam rockets have continued to rain down on Israel but the capabilities of the terror organizations have been diminished."