ISRAELI THINKING
In looking at Israel's own considerations, most Israeli analysts say the Jewish state does not want to get involved in another bloody, expensive operation. However, they add that any decision to attack will be based on what happens in Lebanon rather than on Israel Defense Forces headquarters in Tel Aviv.
Former hawkish Israeli politician and military leader Effie Eitam refused to comment on whether he thinks there will be further violence in the wake of Tuesday's incident, but he said he is extremely concerned by the fact that Hezbollah members are increasingly active within the official Lebanese army.
"The integration of a terrorist organization into the Lebanese army is a step backwards in terms of the country's future," Eitam told Israel Radio on Wednesday.
Karmon points to Nasrallah's TV speech to show in which direction the winds are headed. While not saying a war is imminent, Karmon says Hezbollah's political and military integration in and takeover of Lebanon are pointing down a certain track.
"The attempt to present Hezbollah more and more as a Lebanese legitimate force, so when the moment will be ripe for a full attack on Israel as a step in Iran's strategy to hinder the sanctions or prevent a military attack on its facilities, the Hezbollah provocation would be considered a legitimate national move," said Karmon.
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Border clash kills 1 Israeli, 4 Lebanese
JERUSALEM, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- An Israel Defense Forces (IDF) officer and four Lebanese were killed on Tuesday during a border clash, the fiercest one since the fighting between Israel and the Lebanon-based Shiite group Hezbollah four years ago.
The gunfire and its response ensued when soldiers of the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) fired at an Israeli troops working along the border around noon. According to Israeli army sources, the Israeli soldiers were clearing bushes between the Israeli community of Misgav Am and the Lebanese village of Aadaise. Full story
Clashes bring huge tension along Israel-Lebanon border
JERUSALEM, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- Ever since Israel's war with the Lebanese-based Hezbollah four years ago, there have been constant warnings from both sides that a return to violence is just around the corner.
Those threats transformed into deadly fire on Tuesday with the killing of Lebanese and Israeli soldiers during an exchange across their shared border. Full story
U.S. urges restraint between Israel, Lebanon
WASHINGTON, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- The United States on Tuesday voiced "greatest concern" over the deadly military clashes along the Israel-Lebanon border, urging both the Israeli and Lebanese sides to exercise "maximum restraint".
"We deeply regret the loss of life; we urge both sides to exercise maximum restraint to avoid an escalation and maintain the cease-fire that is now in place," State Department spokesman Philip Crowley told reporters at the daily press briefing. Full story
