Sneh: Expanded IDF Ground Operation to Last for Weeks By Ze’ev Schiff, Amos Harel and Aluf Benn
Excerpts;
Israel’s offensive in Lebanon is likely to last for weeks, and may include holding territory up to the Litani River, senior Labor MK and former deputy defense minister Ephraim Sneh indicated Tuesday.
Sneh, speaking to Israel Radio, was asked how long Israel will hold the territory “apparently up to the Litani,” a reference to the river some 30 km (18 miles) north of the Israel-Lebanon border, a main demarcation line during the 18-year occupation of Lebanon which ended in an Israeli withdrawal in 2000.
We can achieve the results in several weeks,” Sneh said. “This war must not end in a tie The goals of this war cannot be achieved without more using more force for a longer time.”
Anything less, and Hezbollah will return and fire rockets at Israel, Sneh said. “The objective is not conquering Lebanon. The objective is creating a situation in which an international force or the Lebanese army can come and hold the area.”
For background, click Olmert: There is No Ceasefire and PM Olmert’s 31.7.06 Address to the Mayors Conference