Wider Assault Needed to Head Off War of Attrition

There is no way to stop the ceaseless barrage of rockets which are being launched at the north without the Israel Defense Forces undertaking a prompt, more extensive aerial and ground operation designed to neutralize Hizballah rockets situated south of the Litani River, perhaps even beyond. Otherwise, the war of attrition will continue, even drag on, and the number of civilian casualties will rise from day to day.

Given the outcome of Sunday's cabinet discussions and those of the seven-member security cabinet Saturday night, there seems to be no chance that the rain of short-range rockets on the Galilee will diminish anytime soon. No plans for Israel Defense Forces operations aimed at swiftly changing the situation were discussed. The IDF's ground operation in Lebanon continues to focus on "cleansing" a narrow strip along the border. Most ministers still oppose expanding the ground operation in order to get rid of most of Hezbollah's short-range rockets.

Meanwhile, Damascus is continuing its efforts to smuggle arms to Hezbollah, including long-range rocket launchers; this should be viewed as a military assault on Israel, albeit an indirect one.