Friday September 29, 2006

I've Been Thinking:

Israel ... Lebanon ... UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Forces In Lebanon)- Ceasefire...
There is a major disconnect happening here.
Something significant just happened with Israel in Lebanon and it is being downplayed for fear of the potential ramifications.

This is how I put the pieces together:
Israeli forces wanted to enter Lebanon and intercept a Hezbollah unit in the small town of Marwahin.
After Israeli troops - several tanks, a bulldozer, a few other vehicles - crossed the border their path was blocked by four UN tanks manned by French soldiers.
It was a classic standoff. The situation was diffused. The Israelis went home.

But UNIFIL forces are not supposed to protect Lebanon from Israel.
UNIFIL is supposed to make certain that Hezbollah does not attack Israel and that Hezbollah does not terrorize Lebanon.
If this is how UNIFIL is acting and reacting now, what's going to happen when Hezbollah starts re-arming and gathering intel?

According to the UN mandated ceasefire Hezbollah must be stopped.
What we have here is a failure to understand the mandate.
This does not portend well for the future.