Nasrallah Showing Signs Of Strain?
This is an interesting article from Ha'aretz. It appears to indicate that Nasrallah, the head of Hezbollah, may be feeling the strain of his miscalculations.
An Israel Defense Forces analysis of the messages transmitted by Hezbollah Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah to his men during the fighting in Lebanon reveals a slightly different tone from the one he took in three public television interviews in the same period and in an interview with the Lebanese newspaper A-Safir.
A senior officer said Nasrallah took a less bellicose position when engaging in his internal dialogue in his organization, than in his appearances in the Arab media - but he remained aggressive.
Nasrallah's tone is apologetic in his messages and he explains that Israel escalated the confrontation by striking deep inside Lebanon after the soldiers were abducted, the officer said.
Nasrallah admits that his organization is having morale problems and says his group will receive support and encouragement.
He adds that not only Hezbollah, but also Israel, has been badly hit.
He also complains frequently that the Arab states have deserted Hezbollah and the Lebanese and are not helping them against Israel.
The army admits that Nasrallah is prepared to continue fighting for a long time and that its military strength has not been broken in a way that will prevent it from carrying out its objectives.
Nasrallah is continuing to function although he is underground.
All the media interviews came at his initiative and his men dictated the terms to the journalists to ensure his safety.
Israel is sparing no effort to try and assassinate him.
Hezbollah is believed to be planning additional surprises, as Nasrallah said, and these could include detonating a drone carrying explosives over Israel or firing Iranian Zilzal rockets at Tel Aviv.
This dovetails into the sudden flurry of Hezbollah attempts to use back channels like the Washington Post to try and get a ceasefire. Hezbollah has admitted that they miscalculated Israel's response. If Hezbollah is now also showing internal morale problems, it could spell a massive backlash against the people who started the misadventure. Meaning Nasrallah is getting nervous.
By Neo, Thursday, 27 July , 2006 @ 9:03 am
The key here is that before any ceasefire and/or “peacekeeping” force is allowed into Lebanon, it should be made clear that UNSC1559 will be enforced (i.e. no armed militias).
The Israelis really can’t force Hezbollah out of Lebanon without forcing about 1/2 of the population to go, so the next best is to disarm them.
Currently, Hezbollah has the Lebanese government held hostage, as it could probably overwhelm the governments army if push can to shove. The only lasting solution is to complete the implemntation of UNSC1559.
2. Calls upon all remaining foreign forces to withdraw from Lebanon;
3. Calls for the disbanding and disarmament of all Lebanese and non-
Lebanese militias;
4. Supports the extension of the control of the Government of Lebanon over
all Lebanese territory;