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Source: http://www.washtimes.com/op-ed/20060725-092625-7982r.htm
The Challenge of Crippling Hizballah
[Washington Times] Editorial - The Israeli military is facing 1,000 hardened fighters and 15,000 reservists - terrorists who have embedded themselves among Lebanon's civilian population. During the six years since Israel unilaterally withdrew from southern Lebanon, Hizballah has dug dozens of bunkers, some as much as 130 feet deep in order to withstand the impact of Israel's bunker-buster bombs. They are fitted with supplies and communications equipment enabling operatives to remain in contact with headquarters and stay below ground. For Israel's military offensive to be a success, it will need to result in the destruction of Hizballah as a fighting force capable of menacing Israel from Lebanese territory. Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni said Sunday the goal is to have Hizballah disarmed either by Israel or an international force. Given the fact that no international force actually exists at the present time, it is up to Israel to do the job. The U.S. and other nations that are serious about defeating Islamofascism have a vital interest in helping Israel succeed in crippling Hizballah and should be generous in providing Israel with what it needs to get the job done. Only if Israel prevails decisively on the battlefield, could an international force (which will have to be a far more serious entity than the ineffectual UNIFIL) actually have a realistic chance of overseeing Hizballah's disarmament.