Vital Perspective

Olmert Declares Hezbollah May Not Recover, Will Never Threaten Israel Again

We've been able to obtain a translation of what could be described as Israeli PM Ehud Olmert's victory speech. A direct statement to the people of Lebanon, as well as the achievements of the operation are towards the end. Bottom line, the campaign will continue, and Hezbollah is not the same organization it was three weeks ago. It's lengthy, so it continues below the fold:

The fighting continues. There is no cease fire and there will be no cease fire.

The IDF is fighting in the air, sea and land, and at this very moment, the IDF is advancing in the south of Lebanon to destroy the terrorist infrastructures there.

Mr. Minister, the honorable Chairman of the Center of Local Authorities, Mayor of Karmiel, which is at the front line of this campaign, my friend Adi Eldar, my friends and partners, heads of local councils in the State of Israel,

Citizens of Israel, Israel continues to fight.

This campaign began exactly 20 days ago, when the Hizballah terrorist organization attacked Israeli soldiers on Israeli territory, killed eight, kidnapped two – Udi Goldwasser and Eldad Regev – and began launching a barrage of missiles against our northern communities.

When the campaign began, I said it was not going to be easy. We knew then, my fellow ministers and I, that it would be difficult and even painful, sometimes very painful. We said that we would have to show a great deal of ingenuity and patience in order to reach all terrorists, locate all their hiding places and strike against all their missile launchers.  We said that we would pay the heaviest price of all – in human life – and in the loss of property, loss of peace, loss of the daily routine and sometimes, for a brief period, even loss of a zest for life.

Hassan Nasrallah's Press Conference: Fully Translated Remarks on Situation

We have just obtained a full translated copy of Hassan Nasrallah's remarks from this past Friday as they were broadcast on Al Alam TV. We always prefer to read the whole thing rather than rely on clips on television.

HASSAN NASRALLAH: May God's Blessing and Mercy be upon you. In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful. As God recites in His Holy Book 'Allah has bought from the believers their lives and their money in exchange for Paradise. Thus, they fight for the cause of Allah, willing to kill and be killed. Such is His truthful pledge in the Torah, the Gospel and the Koran - and who fulfills His pledge better than Allah? You shall rejoice in making such an exchange. This is the greatest triumph.'

My dear brothers and sisters, my dearly beloved. After the 18th day since the beginning of the barbaric Zionist-American aggression against Lebanon, I believe that it is my duty to speak to you again about the numerous points related to the various aspects of our resistance - the political, military popular and official side, as well as the Lebanese, Arab and Islamic positions.

In particular, at the end of this speech, I want to send a message in response to the one sent to me by the Mujahideen which was broadcast yesterday.

Let be begin by reporting on the military side. The events in this field are the most critical factor for the resistance movement. We are now facing new political realities and there are attempts being made to find a way out of this crisis.

First, let me state that this situation is a direct result of the legendary resilience of our fighters in the military field and the endurance of all the Lebanese people, all the different groups, regions, religions, districts and institutions. It is obvious that up till now, the Zionist enemy has not been able to make any military progress. Believe me, I am not the one saying that. They (the Israelis) are the ones saying that. The whole world and all the political commentators and military analysts are saying that.

Syrian-Made Bomb Detonates Next to Israeli Patrol Road in Golan Heights

A Syrian-made bomb was detonated next to an Israeli army patrol road in the Golan Heights, causing no casualties but stirring concern the Lebanon conflict could widen, Israeli television said on Monday.

Israeli Channel Two quoted Israeli military sources as saying the overnight blast in the Golan, which the Jewish state captured from Syria in the 1967 Middle East war, was believed to be an act of solidarity with Hezbollah.

Qana a Hub for Rocket Attacks; Questions Arise on Evacuation of Injured

Here's a quick background we can provide on Qana. Since the beginning of the present conflict, when Hezbollah crossed the Israeli-Lebanese border and kidnapped two soldiers, the village has served as a shelter for escaping terrorists and a center of rocket attacks against Israel. Over 130 rockets have been launched from the vicinity of the village towards northern Israel. More than 50 rockets were launched from within the village itself.

These rocket launchers are routinely situated in close proximity to residential buildings while carrying out their attacks. Also of note, a regional headquarters of Hezbollah was located in the vilage, from which many attacks were planned and carried out. Furthermore, weapons depots and logistics sites were located in the village itself, used as supply sources for Hezbollah.

Of interest to us, among others is the issue of the 7 hour gap between the bombing of the building and the time when the evacuation of the injured began. Allegations have been made that Hezbollah prevented the evacuation of the injured until the arrival of media for purposes of propaganda at the expense of those injured who could have been saved. This policy of cynical manipulation can be seen in the deliberate misinformation promulgated by Lebanese sources concerning the number of killed, inflating the number from the 26 quoted by the Red Cross to 60 reported by the Lebanese Ambassador to the UN.

Plus, we submit to you the following for your examination. There is some excellent work being done on the staging of photographs at Qana. Check out this report (graphic images at both) at EU Referendum and this one from Confederate Yankee.

Security Council Passes Resolution on Iran, Tehran Immediately Rejects It

The Security Council adopted the below text as Resolution 1696 by a vote of 14 to 1 -- Qatar voted against adoption. It is a legally binding Chapter 7 resolution, but following its adoption, Iranian U.N. Ambassador Javad Zarif on Monday rejected the demand that Iran suspend its nuclear activities by the end of August or face the threat of sanctions, saying the action was without legal basis.

"Iran's peaceful nuclear program poses no threat to international peace and security and therefore dealing with this issue in the Security Council is unwarranted and void of any legal basis or practical utility," Zarif told the council.

The Resolution demands that Iran suspend "all enrichment-related and reprocessing activities, including research and development," to be verified by the IAEA, and expresses "its intention" in the event Iran has not complied by August 31 to "adopt appropriate measures" under Article 41 of Chapter 7. Article 41 referes to economic or diplomatic sanctions, but excludes force.

“The Security Council,

“Recalling the Statement of its President, S/PRST/2006/15, of 29 March 2006,

“Reaffirming its commitment to the Treaty on the Non-proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, and recalling the right of States Party, in conformity with Articles I and II of that Treaty, to develop research, production and use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes without discrimination,

“Noting with serious concern the many reports of the IAEA Director General and resolutions of the IAEA Board of Governors related to Iran’s nuclear programme, reported to it by the IAEA Director General, including IAEA Board Resolution GOV/2006/14,

“Noting with serious concern that the IAEA Director General’s report of
27 February 2006 (GOV/2006/15) lists a number of outstanding issues and concerns on Iran’s nuclear programme, including topics which could have a military nuclear dimension, and that the IAEA is unable to conclude that there are no undeclared nuclear materials or activities in Iran,

“Noting with serious concern the IAEA Director General’s report of 28 April 2006 (GOV/2006/27) and its findings, including that, after more than three years of Agency efforts to seek clarity about all aspects of Iran’s nuclear programme, the existing gaps in knowledge continue to be a matter of concern, and that the IAEA is unable to make progress in its efforts to provide assurances about the absence of undeclared nuclear material and activities in Iran,

“Noting with serious concern that, as confirmed by the IAEA Director General’s report of 8 June 2006 (GOV/2006/38) Iran has not taken the steps required of it by the IAEA Board of Governors, reiterated by the Council in its statement of 29 March and which are essential to build confidence, and in particular Iran’s decision to resume enrichment-related activities, including research and development, its recent expansion of and announcements about such activities, and its continued suspension of co-operation with the IAEA under the Additional Protocol,

“Emphasizing the importance of political and diplomatic efforts to find a negotiated solution guaranteeing that Iran’s nuclear programme is exclusively for peaceful purposes, and noting that such a solution would benefit nuclear non-proliferation elsewhere,

“Welcoming the statement by the Foreign Minister of France, Philippe Douste-Blazy, on behalf of the Foreign Ministers of China, France, Germany, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom, the United States and the High Representative of the European Union, in Paris on 12 July 2006 (S/2006/573),

“Concerned by the proliferation risks presented by the Iranian nuclear programme, mindful of its primary responsibility under the Charter of the United Nations for the maintenance of international peace and security, and being determined to prevent an aggravation of the situation,

“Acting under Article 40 of Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations in order to make mandatory the suspension required by the IAEA,

“1.   Calls upon Iran without further delay to take the steps required by the IAEA Board of Governors in its resolution GOV/2006/14, which are essential to build confidence in the exclusively peaceful purpose of its nuclear programme and to resolve outstanding questions,

“2.   Demands, in this context, that Iran shall suspend all enrichment-related and reprocessing activities, including research and development, to be verified by the IAEA,

“3.   Expresses the conviction that such suspension as well as full, verified Iranian compliance with the requirements set out by the IAEA Board of Governors, would contribute to a diplomatic, negotiated solution that guarantees Iran’s nuclear programme is for exclusively peaceful purposes, underlines the willingness of the international community to work positively for such a solution, encourages Iran, in conforming to the above provisions, to re-engage with the international community and with the IAEA, and stresses that such engagement will be beneficial to Iran,

“4.   Endorses, in this regard, the proposals of China, France, Germany, theRussian Federation, the United Kingdom and the United States, with the support of the European Union’s High Representative, for a long-term comprehensive arrangement which would allow for the development of relations and cooperation with Iran based on mutual respect and the establishment of international confidence in the exclusively peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear programme (S/2006/521),

“5.   Calls upon all States, in accordance with their national legal authorities and legislation and consistent with international law, to exercise vigilance and prevent the transfer of any items, materials, goods and technology that could contribute to Iran’s enrichment-related and reprocessing activities and ballistic missile programmes,

“6.   Expresses its determination to reinforce the authority of the IAEA process, strongly supports the role of the IAEA Board of Governors, commends and encourages the Director General of the IAEA and its Secretariat for their ongoing professional and impartial efforts to resolve all remaining outstanding issues in Iran within the framework of the Agency, underlines the necessity of the IAEA continuing its work to clarify all outstanding issues relating to Iran’s nuclear programme, and calls upon Iran to act in accordance with the provisions of the Additional Protocol and to implement without delay all transparency measures as the IAEA may request in support of its ongoing investigations,

“7.   Requests by 31 August a report from the Director General of the IAEA primarily on whether Iran has established full and sustained suspension of all activities mentioned in this resolution, as well as on the process of Iranian compliance with all the steps required by the IAEA Board and with the above provisions of this resolution, to the IAEA Board of Governors and in parallel to the Security Council for its consideration,

“8.   Expresses its intention, in the event that Iran has not by that date complied with this resolution, then to adopt appropriate measures under Article 41 of Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations to persuade Iran to comply with this resolution and the requirements of the IAEA, and underlines that further decisions will be required should such additional measures be necessary,

“9.   Confirms that such additional measures will not be necessary in the event that Iran complies with this resolution,

“10.  Decides to remain seized of the matter.”

Update on Israeli Anti-Terror Operations Against Hezbollah Infrastructure

In the past 24 hours, IDF ground forces have been operating in the villages of Teibeh, Al Adeisa and Killah, west of Metullah. For the past several days these areas have been used by Hezbollah as launching grounds for scores of rocket attacks against Israel. The objective of the Israeli operation is to damage the Hezbollah infrastructure in the area and uncover stores of weaponry.

Eight IDF soldiers were wounded during the activity after Hezbollah gunmen opened fire at forces in Al Adeisa. Exchanges of fire ensued and the Israeli forces killed three gunmen. Four soldiers were wounded by an anti-tank missile fired at their tank in Al Adeisa as they worked to evacuate the initial eight wounded. Israeli forces also uncovered large stocks of weaponry, including an RPG launcher and 10 missiles, a canon with 18 shells, 14 anti-tank missiles and detailed operating instructions, a machine gun, 8 unites of explosives and IDF uniforms.

The IDF carried out over 80 aerial attacks between midnight on Sunday and now against 32 Hezbollah posts and headquarters, and buildings from which rockets were launched into Israel including three in the village of Qana, four entrances to tunnels used by Hezbollah, four rocket launchers, vehicles used to transfer weaponry, armed gunmen and several rocket launching sites in southern Lebanon and the routes used by Hezbollah to reach these sites.

Today, the IDF carried out an aerial attack against a vehicle traveling north of Tyre. The attack was based on information that a senior member of Hezbollah was in the vehicle. This terrorist, whose name was not released, was reportedly involved in directing terrorist activity and poses a significant and imminent threat to Israel. According to an initial investigation, the terrorist was not in the vehicle at the time of attack. Unfortunately, an officer in the Lebanese army and several soldiers were injured. They were obviously not the intended target, and the IDF immediately expressed its regret for the incident.

Today in Washington

10:10	REMARKS BY PRESIDENT BUSH ON THE ECONOMY AT THE U.S. COAST GUARD INTEGRATED SUPPORT COMMAND IN MIAMI, FLORIDA.
12:30	STATE DEPARTMENT BRIEFING W/SEAN MCCORMACK
TBA	DEFENSE DEPARTMENT OPERATIONAL UPDATE BRIEFING, IF ANY.
	NO REGULAR WHITE HOUSE BRIEFING EXPECTED

Responding to the Tragic Consequences of Hezbollah Firing Rockets From Qana

If a location is a legitimate military objective, it does not cease to be one because civilians are in the vicinity. As Article 28 of the 4th Geneva Convention provides:

The presence of a protected person may not be used to render certain points or areas immune from military operations.

Clearly, the deliberate placing of military targets in the heart of civilian areas is a serious violation of humanitarian law, and those who chose to locate such targets in these areas must bear responsibility for the injury to civilians which this decision engenders. As international law expert Yoram Dinstein notes:

Should civilian casualties ensue from an attempt to shield combatants or a military objective, the ultimate responsibility lies with the belligerent placing innocent civilians at risk.

In light of that, examine this visual proof of rocket firing by Hezbollah from within Qana and the use of human shields throughout Lebanon by firing and hiding amongst the civilian population:

Israeli PM Ehud Olmert made the following statement on Qana today: "I express my deep regret, shared by the entire State of Israel and the IDF, for the death of civilians in the village of Qana. Qana was used for launching rockets at Kiryat Shmona and Afula. All residents were warned to leave. There are hiding places for rockets inside the village, and the village itself constitutes a shelter for rocket launchers. We have no policy of killing innocent civilians. For 18 days thousands of missiles have been fired, aimed at murdering innocent civilians in the north."

Israeli FM Tzipi Livni made this statement today on Qana: "Israel expresses its deep regret at the loss of innocent life in the campaign against Hezbollah. Israel will undertake a thorough and comprehensive examination of the circumstances of today's events in Qana. During recent weeks Israel has been engaged in defending its citizens from constant attacks by Hezbollah on the towns and cities of northern Israel. Throughout these operations, the Israel Defense Forces has made strenuous efforts to avoid harming Lebanese civilians, which would be antithetical to the values of Israeli society. To our sorrow, Hizbullah repeatedly uses the Lebanese civilian population as human shields for its terrorist attacks. It is important that today's tragedy not divert the international community from the correct direction of finding a solution to the crisis by means of the complete implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1559. Israel will not agree to return to a situation in which Hezbollah holds the stability of the region hostage."

With Suspension of Aerial Attacks, IDF Possibly Moving To More Ground Ops

Stratfor, a security consulting intelligence agency, has released a special report in light of Israel's 48-hour temporary suspension of aerial attacks on south Lebanon:

At this moment there appears to be a major shift taking place in the war. Though the scope of the operation is unclear, it appears the Israelis have shifted to a new phase of the war, focusing on broader and more intense ground operations. It could be that this is the opening phase of a broader raid-in-force against Hezbollah that might go beyond southern Lebanon. We do not know this for certain, but it does warrant alerting our readers to the possibility. Various bits of evidence point in this direction.

For example, early Sunday Israeli time, an IDF spokesman was quoted as saying, "We have drawn our conclusions from battles in other areas, we have learned our lesson and are about to embark on another mission. There is no intention whatsoever to occupy this region or any other -- only to arrive, to act, and when we're done, to get out."

There are reports of new areas involved in fighting and new Israeli units being engaged. For example, Israeli forces are now fighting in the area of Qana. This is a few miles southeast of Tyre and deep into southern Lebanon. We have heard that the Qana action consists of engineers, armor and infantry, indicating a more traditional combined arms effort. The engineers would be clearing mines, bulldozing fortifications and clearing roads damaged by Israeli airstrikes. Infantry would be clearing the area of anti-tank teams and opening the way for broader armored thrusts to destroy rear infrastructure and isolate forward Hezbollah positions. There are additional reports of engagements near and to the west of the Israeli panhandle in the Dan-Dafna-Metulla region, along with heavy artillery fire in this region. This would be the jump-off point for an attack both westward along the Litani and northward into the Bekaa Valley. There were extensive reports of a major armored buildup in this area over the past 48 hours. This would also explain the decision to disengage temporarily at Bent Jbail in preparation for the new phase of operations.

Exclusive: Israeli Leaflets Urged Residents in Area to Evacuate for Safety

This just in... It's widely reported that the residents in the area, as well as in Qana specifically, were told repeatedly to leave. The question one has to ask, is why did this happen under the circumstances? Who benefits by the large loss of civilian life? The answer is clearly Hezbollah, which uses human shields, and their sponsors in Syria and Iran. Israel dropped leaflets warning residents that airstrikes were on the way. We have obtained the text of that leaflet which was dropped by the Israelis as well as a scanned image of what one of these leaflets looks like:

"To all citizens south of the Litani River Due to the terror activities being carried out against the State of Israel from within your villages and homes, the IDF is forced to respond immediately against these activities, even within your villages. For your safety! We call upon you to evacuate your villages and move north of the Litani River."

State of Israel