Israel Buries Soldiers, Says Hizbullah Doesn't Want Conflict

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Israel on Thursday buried two soldiers killed in a Hizbullah missile strike that triggered Israeli fire on southern Lebanon, raising tensions between the bitter enemies to their highest in years.

But the Israeli-Lebanese border was calm, and Israeli officials played down the threat of a new war with the Iran-backed group.

In an unusual declaration, Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon said Hizbullah had passed on a message through the U.N. peacekeeping mission in southern Lebanon saying it did not want a further escalation.

"We have received a message... that, from their point of view, the incident is over," he told public radio.

Analysts say neither side seems keen for a repeat of the devastating Israel-Hizbullah conflict in 2006 and that any response is likely to be limited.

The two soldiers were killed when Hizbullah fired anti-tank missiles at a convoy in the Israeli-occupied Shebaa Farms on the border with Lebanon.

Israeli forces responded to the attack -- which came in retaliation for an Israeli strike on the Golan Heights that killed senior Hizbullah members -- with artillery, tank and air fire on several villages in southern Lebanon.

There were no reports of Lebanese casualties, but a 36-year-old Spanish peacekeeper with UNIFIL was killed in the exchange of fire.

In Israel, farmers were tending apple orchards close to the border fence, an AFP photographer said. Schools had reopened, as had the Mount Hermon ski resort in the Israeli-occupied portion of the Golan Heights.

In the Lebanese border village of Majidiyeh, residents were collecting spent artillery shells from Wednesday's strikes, an AFP photographer said.

At the local U.N. base a blackened concrete tower could be seen with part of its wall blown out, and a Spanish flag was flying at half-mast.

Hundreds of mourners gathered at the Mount Herzl military cemetery in Jerusalem for the burial of one of the soldiers killed, 25-year-old Captain Yochai Kalangel.

Sobbing relatives greeted mourners, many wearing the purple beret of Kalangel's Givati (Highland) Brigade.

The other soldier, 20-year-old Staff Sergeant Dor Chaim Nini, was to be buried later in the town of Shtulim in south-central Israel.

Questions have been raised in Israel about why they were traveling in unarmored vehicles in the volatile area.

For his part, UNIFIL spokesman Andrea Tenenti told Lebanon's National News Agency that the U.N. force did everything in its capacity to restore stability and calm, while describing the operation as a clear violation of Resolution 1701.

And as he noted that the situation was currently calm and stable, Tenenti said he cannot make predictions about developments in the near future.

UNIFIL has increased its patrols and surveillance activities, in coordination with the Lebanese army, Tenenti added.

The calm situation on the border was marred by media reports about sounds of explosions in northern Israel.

“An RPG has landed near the Biranit settlement near the border with Lebanon,” Al-Arabiya TV reported.

Israeli newspaper Haaretz for its part said blasts were heard in Israel's north.

However, Al-Arabiya later reported that the Israeli army “confirmed that no rocket had landed in the north.”

Israel said it considered Wednesday's attack the "most severe" it had faced since 2006, when the war with Hizbullah killed more than 1,200 people in Lebanon, mostly civilians, and some 160 Israelis, mostly soldiers.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu blamed the attack on Iran.

"It is Iran that is responsible for yesterday's attack," he said at a memorial ceremony in southern Israel for late prime minister Ariel Sharon.

"This is the same Iran that is now trying to achieve an agreement, via the major powers, that would leave it with the ability to develop nuclear weapons, and we strongly oppose this agreement," he said.

Israel has threatened military action to stop arch-foe Iran obtaining atomic weapons. Tehran insists its program is only for civilian purposes.

Netanyahu held talks with top security brass late Wednesday, warning afterwards: "Those behind today's attack will pay the full price."

Still, analysts said Israel, fresh from a summer war with Hamas in the Gaza Strip and heading for a general election in March, was not eager for a full-scale conflict with Hizbullah.

"Hizbullah has 100,000 rockets, compared with the 10,000 of Hamas," said analyst Boaz Ganor of the Herzliya Interdisciplinary Center.

"The human cost of such a war would be enormous, and no Israeli leader will be pro-active in this direction," he said.

As for Hizbullah, it is deeply involved in Syria's civil war, fighting with President Bashar Assad's forces against mostly Sunni rebels.

"The chances (of an escalation) are very slim, almost none, because none of the sides has an interest in moving to a big operation or a small war," Yaakov Amidror, a former major general and security advisor of Israel, told AFP.

"Hizbullah is very busy in Syria; the last thing that it needs is a second front," he said.

On the Lebanese side, Labor Minister Sejaan Qazzi told AFP the government had "received assurances from major countries that Israel won't escalate the military situation, and that yesterday's response was enough... for the time being."

Tension in the area had been building before Wednesday's attack, especially after an Israeli air strike on the Syrian sector of the Golan Heights killed six Hizbullah fighters and an Iranian general on January 18.

Hizbullah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah had earlier threatened to retaliate against Israel for its repeated strikes on targets in Syria and boasted that the Shiite militant movement was stronger than ever.

Comments 33
Missing humble 29 January 2015, 10:57

Immense pressures are being exerted on Israel to limit its retaliation. They lost a captain and a sergeant.
Ebola is Iranian NOT lebanese. Full stop.

Thumb _mowaten_ 29 January 2015, 11:17

what pressures? and when did israel ever care about their pressures? each time the attacked and bombed and massacred they kept going as much as they could, while the international community sits in lounges drinking tea and reading poetry, only stopping a few time a day to make some half-baked hypocrite speeches...
no, the only language israel understands is the one of slaps in their faces, the convoy yesterday was the price for the convoy ten days ago, and they know that from now on every attack will be faced by an equal retaliation. 2 months before the elections, ben nitay could not afford to get humiliated in lebanon, this is why he ate s...

Thumb _mowaten_ 29 January 2015, 11:17

and btw humble, you spent the day yesterday flooding us with the same comment pasted all over the forums... promising the destruction of lebanon and hezbollah by your israeli friends was imminent... i bet you must have felt stupid and very very disappointed when you saw them cowering in the face of hezbollah's deterrence power.

hezbollah showed the way yesterday, the only way to be safe from israel is to make them pay for every crime they commit.

Thumb _mowaten_ 29 January 2015, 11:18

as for you little friends on the border, if you care about them tell them to go back home before they get snuffed.
and by home i dont mean occupied palestine, i mean poland, russia, america... and wherever they came from

Missing humble 29 January 2015, 11:22

Mowaten
Change ton nom, car tu es un traître.

Thumb _mowaten_ 29 January 2015, 11:25

oui bien sur mon petit, va vite te trouver des bottes israeliennes a lecher a la frontiere, elles risquent de ne plus etre la bientot.

Missing humble 29 January 2015, 11:26

You have no idea about geopolitics. You are a poor brainwashed puppet to Ebola and Caporal who spends time on OTV and Al Manar who supply 24/24 disinformation to mononeurons like you. I pity you.

Thumb _mowaten_ 29 January 2015, 11:30

hahahaha yea, yea, if you say so, mister one-line spammer

Missing theobserver 29 January 2015, 12:13

@Mowaten.
the convoy yesterday was the price for the convoy ten days ago, and they know that from now on every attack will be faced by an equal retaliation

Hizbullah's retaliation was not at the level of the Qneitra's attack. An Iranian general and top Hizbulla 'leaders were killed in Qneitra's attack while just an Israeli commander and soldier were killed yesterday.
That's not an equal retaliation.

I think the Israelis were afraid of a much worse retaliation and they are relieved now that it all ended at this level.
On the other hand, Hizbullah supporters seems to be content and consider that they were avenged.
So it's a win win situation. Everyone is "happy" and the escalation will stop here... hopefully anyway.

Thumb Mystic 29 January 2015, 12:34

It will never stip, not before Palestine is free. I can assure you Israel got themselves in a position of shock. They never believed the Resistance would retaliate, and more than 2 IDF died.

Thumb _mowaten_ 29 January 2015, 12:38

observer: yes of course, the loss of Jihad Imad Moghniyeh alone is worth a hundred of their generals, not to mention his father before him... this score, and their decades of crimes, will not be settled in one day. But yesterday was an historical day, where israel had to think about it long and hard and swallow their lust for vengeance.

Thumb Mystic 29 January 2015, 20:37

These pictures Naharnet are posting, makes no one wonder about their sympathizing with Israeli soldiers, Naharnet even glorifies the IDF, more than the LAF.

Missing cedars 29 January 2015, 14:06

After the Israeli election, let us be ready for mass bridges, infrastructure destruction then Saudi and Kuwaiti will reimburse us for the materials while lives will be lost. This is our defense strategy.

Missing cedars 29 January 2015, 14:06

After the Israeli election, let us be ready for mass bridges, infrastructure destruction then Saudi and Kuwaiti will reimburse us for the materials while lives will be lost. This is our defense strategy.

Default-user-icon + oua nabka + (Guest) 29 January 2015, 13:09

let it be an all out war ou khalsouna ba2a

Thumb -phoenix1 29 January 2015, 15:15

(1). The two main enemies of Lebanon are: (1) Israel, (2), Hezbollah. Facts: Lebanon is a nation made up of the most dynamic and enterprising people on earth, no one is like the Lebanese, give the Lebanese peace and they will astound the world, but give them peace and leave them in peace, simple. Like anything human, a person needs to plan, make contingencies, plan for the future, his future, his children and loved ones, so in theory one plans for at least the next ten years to come. But who in Lebanon can plan? Who can do any kind of contingency for even a year these days? No sooner than Lebanon begins to find some peace and with it some kind of stability and with it some kind of prosperity, than would the enemies of Lebanon create some sort of fireworks, followed by one lengthy speech from a derided Sayed Hassan closely matched by an Israeli PM.

Thumb _mowaten_ 29 January 2015, 15:30

Hezbollah just proved yesterday that their way is the only one that can prevent israeli aggressions. By showing strength and determination they obtained a result that was never obtained by being weak and unarmed, bending over to feltman or kissing saudi flipflops.
And before you tell me about the lebanese army, which has all my respect and support, just look at politicians paralyzing it when they need to hit in arsal or other pockets of terrorism, and spending years discussing some foreign "grants" that will never materialize or end up being made of old uniforms and obsolete rusty weapons... and tell me if you think that in such circumstances it will ever be able to hold up against israel.

ps: did you forget to mention takfiris as enemies of lebanon, or did you consider them counted under the israeli threat?

Thumb _mowaten_ 29 January 2015, 16:15

go water a plant anonyme, you clearly understand nothing and it's a waste of time to try to explain it to you: you're full of bad faith and never recognize reason. bye.

Thumb -phoenix1 29 January 2015, 17:21

A nation lives by wisdom and wise decisions. Hercules, the legend known as the world's strongest man, brought down the main pillars, on himself and on everyone else in the palace.

Default-user-icon + oua nabka + (Guest) 29 January 2015, 15:42

very well said and spot on mowaten , very nice arguments
god bless democracy

Thumb -phoenix1 30 January 2015, 12:24

Thank you FT, I stand corrected, indeed, it was Samson. Thanks.

Thumb -phoenix1 29 January 2015, 15:52

(2). Now both leaders will threaten each other's countries, but in truth, who will bear the brunt but the people on both sides? Be it Israeli PM, or Hezbollah's top cadres, what do they have to worry, they are safe, pampered and fully catered for. Like the recent conflict in Gaza, Ismael Haniyah and other top Hamas cadres, none got hurt nor got touched, but their people. Watch the news, the headlines are clear, the conflict is one between Hezbollah and Israel, NOT Lebanon and Israel, but Hezbollah and Israel, wow, great!! Now the truth persists and remains, Lebanon is not Hezbollah's state, HA is trying, but Lebanon will not change, it is and remains, The State of Lebanon. Furthermore, we are in 2015, certainly not in 2006, things have changed. First, the people.

Thumb -phoenix1 29 January 2015, 15:56

(3). The people of Lebanon are NO longer rallying behind Hezbollah anymore, if for anything, possibly the majority of the Lebanese don't even want to hear the name Hezbollah. Second, Hezbollah may have grown in strength and sophistication, or maybe this is what HA wants us to believe, but with a war that is bleeding it now more profusely than ever, it is hard to believe anything but the inherent weakening of HA. Israel on the other hand is not weak, has no conflict to deal with as yet, and has definitely grown both in strength and sophistication, now it recognizes the surprise elements of HA so it has its own contingencies and more. Lebanon however has changed its mood with wars and conflicts, Lebanon has changed its mood with refugees and a generosity it longer can afford.

Thumb -phoenix1 29 January 2015, 16:01

(4). Most diaspora Lebanese want to return back to the homeland, the West is no longer the land of milk and honey. Lebanon needs to rebuild itself, from its army, to its infrastructure, to its legislations, its constitutional institutions and more, thus Lebanon wants out of war and the very psyche or mentality of war. Hezbollah has now been impairing Lebanon's ability to live as a normal state. It is barring the election of a new president and much more. Hezbollah is profoundly implicated in a war of attrition in Syria, a war it now knows it can never win, even with the regime, Iran and Russia aboard, this is a war of attrition that will bleed everyone involved in it.

Thumb -phoenix1 29 January 2015, 16:04

(5). A new war with Israel will spell total disaster for Lebanon as the majority Lebanese now have come to hate Hezbollah, except of course its own constituency and its allies in Lebanon. This time, if war breaks out, Israel will not toy with Hezbollah like the previous administration did, guess working at best, this time there's a man called Benyamin Netanyahu, a man known for his ruthlessness and cruelty. Netanyahu will without doubt go for the jugular this time, something that will probably annihilate Lebanon for good. We are tired of war everyone now says, me amongst them, we want no more wars, no more conflicts, no more tripping of our lives, all we want is peace, stability and to live in prosperity.

Thumb -phoenix1 29 January 2015, 16:06

(6). If we have peace and the guarantee of peace, Lebanon will in no time spring back on its feet, those of us that went to invest abroad, will bring back part of their wealth and invest it in Lebanon. The economy will grow immeasurably and within a very short time, Lebanon's constitutional institutions will regain their status and Lebanon will no more need a militia to fight anymore wars on its soil, yesterday it was the PLO, today its Hezbollah, we want none of them anymore, NONE but the L.A.F.

Thumb -phoenix1 29 January 2015, 16:12

(7). Most reasonable Lebanese have time and time again called on Hezbollah to give up on its weapons, to drop the call for war, Lebanon is now fully free, albeit a contended sliver of land neither owned but claimed. In fact, Lebanon can have peace, if only. Israel knows that the state of Lebanon is no threat to it, but being kept weak since the days of the PLO to those of Hezbollah, the state of Lebanon on its own can't do much to change its internal imbalance. We can have peace, if only we're left to make peace. Egypt and Jordan have peace with Israel as have now most Arab countries, why can't we then?! Can anyone imagine the potential of a peaceful Lebanon, the No: 1 banking sector of the region and beyond, the No: 1 service industry of the region, and the best tourist destination.

Thumb -phoenix1 29 January 2015, 16:49

(8). My question, who does it benefit a prosperous, peaceful and strong Lebanon? Would Israel get worried because of our prosperity? Would Hezbollah loose all excuses for its existence? By proxy would that not mean the final end of all plans of Hezbollah's masters in Damascus and Tehran? Would that not mean the end of all proxy wars in Lebanon, as has always been called, the wars of others on Lebanese soil? But a peaceful, prosperous and stable Lebanon is today a must. In long days gone by, Bachir Gemayel spoke of Lebanon being the microcosm of world affairs, Lebanon is indeed the mirror thus what happens here will happen elsewhere. Just for this last time, let Hezbollah know it beyond all doubt, that it has long since overstayed its welcome in Lebanon. I very much believe that every single reasonable Lebanese citizen will be happy to accept Hezbollah purely as a political part and nothing more, representing the majority of our Lebanese Shiite siblings.

Thumb -phoenix1 29 January 2015, 16:49

(9). Also every reasonable Lebanese will readily accept a reasonable transitional period under which Hezbollah will surrender its weapons to the state and integrate the army. So far, most Lebanese wish no harm to Hezbollah, provided Hezbollah listens, if not, then Hezbollah will soon discover what it means to be unwelcome in one's homeland. One must state this: that so far Israel has shown surprising restraint, however it is also easy to feel palpably the growing pulse of antagonism, therefore it will be fair to say that one more spark could spark the unthinkable.

Thumb saturn 29 January 2015, 20:00

Hezbollah will surrender its weapons to the state and integrate the army... dream come true, wouldn't it. But they will NEVER do it. Even if somehow that piece of dumpland Shebaa is taken, they will find another excuse.

Missing peace 29 January 2015, 18:02

it was just like i said before: a childish revenge... how does it serve the liberation of shebaa? in no woay...
just because his majesty nasrallah want his sheep to believe he is strong but right away says: "we were just kidding! we do not want any escalation! " LOL
in both cases it shows the stupidity of this militia and how they spit on the lebanese government and the lebanese people as usual....

Thumb nickjames 29 January 2015, 19:10

Nice posts Phoenix.

Missing idris_gray 29 January 2015, 19:39

"Hezbollah just proved yesterday that their way is the only one that can prevent israeli aggressions. By showing strength and determination they obtained a result that was never obtained by being weak and unarmed, bending over to feltman or kissing saudi flipflops."

LOL, this guy mowaten is too much. Which reality does this guy live in? Do you think Israel just woke up one day and decided to bomb hizbo and these iranians (terrorist invaders with no business in syria anyways) just for fun? They were trying to set up a front in the golan against israel and guess what? Israel made it very clear that they ain't allowing that. They accomplished what they wanted to do. In retaliation, they lost two low level soldiers, insigificant in the big picture. It means nothing to them. Yet in this guy's fantasy world, this little attack somehow prevented what was already accomplished.