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Last update - 18:12 08/01/2009
ANALYSIS / Rocket fire on North may be realization of Iran threat
By Yoav Stern, Haaretz Correspondent
Tags: iran, israel news, gaza 

Several days before Israel launched Operation Cast Lead in the Gaza Strip, Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki called several of his European counterparts and warned that Israel would face additional fronts if it attacked.

The rocket fire on Thursday morning from Lebanon into northern Israel can be seen as the realization of the Iranian threat.



It is safe to assume that Palestinian operatives, working in coordination with Hezbollah and sponsored by Iran, are responsible for the rocket attacks in Nahariya and elsewhere in the north.

The rocket fire also places Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah among the list of top Arab militant leaders. He doesn't just talk, he acts.

For now, Hezbollah is too sophisticated to claim responsibility for Thursday's rocket fire. Elections in Lebanon are scheduled to take place in about six months, and Hezbollah does not want to be perceived as the party that once again disrupted the relative calm the country has experienced. The group does not want to risk its standing at the polls.

However, Nasrallah's rhetoric from recent days says it all: "We are prepared for all Israeli aggression," he said. In other words, Hezbollah won't take responsibility for the rockets into Israel, but will claim credit for standing up against any Israeli retaliatory attacks, should there be any.

Nasrallah has already hinted that sources linked to Israel were responsible for the placement of rocket launchers discovered in Lebanon two weeks ago, not far from where rockets were fired from Thursday.

He also said that his operatives in south Lebanon are prepared to confront Israel and that any future war will make the Second Lebanon War look like a 'walk in the park.'

Israel must now decide what the price tag will be for Thursday's attacks on the north, knowing that a harsh response is likely to bring with it an escalation on the northern front and increasing international criticism.

Related articles:
  • At least three Lebanon rockets hit north Israel; IDF responds with shells
  • Neighbors / Rhetoric strikes from the north
  • 'Iran pledged Hezbollah won't respond to Gaza op,' says top Lebanese MP




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      8.   #1 Good summary of truth 15:04  |  Pagiel 08/01/09
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      11.   to Simon 15:19  |  George 08/01/09
      12.   Retaliate 15:24  |  howiej 08/01/09
      13.   Realization of Iran threat 15:24  |  Denis Gray 08/01/09
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      22.   Queen Esther 19:40  |  Ron 08/01/09
      23.   Iran 19:58  |  mt 08/01/09
      24.   Brod is Right--IRAN is the problem 20:56  |  Martin P. 08/01/09
      25.   Ron, you`re onto something. 23:52  |  ManintheMiddle 08/01/09
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