Israel Can't Win. Lose. Take Your Pick.

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A strange disturbance in the force: Ralph Peters is pessimistic about Israel's chances, while VDH is optimistic.



In the meanwhile, Israel's siezed a town in Lebanon believed to be a rocket-launching point, and found a cache of weapons in the village mosque. Israel wants to push Hezbollah North, out of striking distance. I note these details:

An Israeli radio station that broadcasts to southern Lebanon warned residents of 13 villages to flee north by Saturday afternoon.

And, because the destruction of bridges and infrastructure aimed at cutting Hezbollah off from its Syrian and Iranian suppliers has made it difficult for refugees to escape and observers fear a humanitarian crisis,
As part of an effort to avert such a crisis, Israel eased its blockade of Lebanon's ports to allow the first shiploads of aid to arrive.

UPDATE: The latter point, above, is a partial answer to B16's specific petitions for today --namely that a path be opened for humanitarian aid.

Plus, Mark Steyn builds on VDH's case that the world has finally tired of Islamic terrorism, pointing out that even the Arab League has denounced Hezbollah in this case. It's hard to claim the Palestinian problem is at the root of this war when the head of Hezbollah says
We are not fighting so that you will offer us something. We are fighting to eliminate you.
In the meantime, no one wants to be under the Iranian mullahs' thumbs (not even the Iranians). RTWT --Steyn and Hanson together. Curtsy to ninme.

2nd UPDATE: Here's a group blog purportedly done by members of the Lebanese army that's defending Israel. It also hints Hezbollah might be giving up on prisoner exchange soon. Just a rumor the blogger heard, but interesting, true or no. Suggests people in Lebanon don't think it's going well for Hezbollah, in spite of what its fearless leader says. Curtsy to lgf.
3rd UPDATE: Seems to be Hamas that's looking for a ceasefire. Makes more sense. Still, I credit the prayers of the Papa.