I think Israel lost against Hizbollah. What do you think?

Question

OK, paolo, how has Israel won? Israel declared at the start of this war it wanted to get back its two soldiers kidnapped by Hizbollah and it also wanted to destro Hizbollah. Well, you may not have noticed nut NEITHER of these two things have happened and if anything Hizbollah is now MORE popular with the people of Lebanon than before. Maybe somehow the meanings of defeat and sucess have been switched, but I don't think so. Over to you.

I have a lot of sympathy with the idea that nobody really wins in war. But Israel did NOT accomplish her stated war aims and Hizbollah, unfortunately, are left stronger with a greater degree of popular support in the Middle East than before this war. In those terms Hizbollah did win imo. I also think this is aturning point for Israel and I doubt she will hencforth be able to crush her opponents as previously because of the changed military dynamics in the region. The USA will also IMO not be able to support Israel as fully as before for geopolitical reasons. I think all of this IS very sad because Israel is one country that does desrve to exist.

OK,I think it is childish to ignore the fact that israel did NOT accomplish her war aims.

daveschrom,
Which papers do you read. You said Lebanon/HEzbollah fired mostly @ military targets while israel focused on civilian targets. NOT SO!!! It was the other way round HIzbollah (I stand by MY spelling, thank you!!!) fired idiscriminately into Israel hitting mostly civilian targets - they don't have very accurate weapons in any case. Israel fired mainly at military targets. Sometimes civilians were hit by mistake and sometimes because HIzbollah hid amongst civilians Israel did fire at civilian targets. Israel can do this because its weapons have precision guidance systems. I recall seeing TV pictures of two neighbouring appartment blocks in Southern Beirut - one was intact, the other was completely obliterated. The destroyed block housed HIzbollah activists!!!!

bob kerr, You are wrong. Israel has lost this battle, Hizbollah has increased its support. Syria and Iran are not going to stop supplying Hizbollah. There may well be a big dust up brewing between Iran & Israel. Personally I would not wish to place bets on who would win that one especially if Iran has or very soon gets nyclear weapons. Hizbollah, of course, will not respect any drawback to the Litani river and the South Lebaneses populace will support them even more in that area now. It's all a huge tragedy, of course, because Israel is the most democratic and free country in the area.

Answer 1

I believe they both won. Israel was able to destroy most of the known Hezbollah positions and recognised as being able to openly abduct people of Lebanon without international repercussions in the future. It also show it can adequately bait aggression from either Hezbollah or Hamas when it chooses.
Hezbollah's victory is that it not only survived but actively resisted and challenged the Israeli army. More note Worthy is that they have managed to gain back popular support and a political opportunity. If they so choose they can simply offer to fold their full-time military into the Lebanon's national army. They could help the govt. build a nation wide militia like the U.S. national guard to aid the smaller local governments. This would help them claim they helped to create a truly viably Lebanon that can defend itself. In essence It has the chance to show the people their interest comes first.
Now I doubt Hezbollah's leaders can put away egos and make this happen since they would have give up some power to the political as it focuses on parliamentary gain and influence nation wide.

Answer 2

Lots of people seem very agitated by this question and I don't know why. I'd agree with some in that ultimately they are no winners in war and the only losers are normally innocent. If you are talking about who won the most points or who came off best I think I would have to say Israel. While they did not achieve their stated aim of freeing the hostages they have made certain advances. They have ensured a Hezbollah pull back in the South which will now be policed by the Lebanese Army and a substantial UN force and that will protect that border. The Lebanese government are now able to reassert itself with the support of the international community and probably to the dismay of Syria and Iran. They have also damaged the cause of the Syrian sponsored Hezbollah politicians embedded in the government. Naturally the people of Lebanon blame Israel for their tactics but I think they will also know that Hezbollah (who are not Lebanese nationals) have been using their country as a battlefield on which to fight their own ideological war. As regards the balance of military power having changed in the Middle East, nothing has changed. Israel has been planning for every possible scenario since 1967as Iran might find if they insist on going down the route they are going now.

Answer 3

Everybody involved in the recent war in the Lebanon lost.

After Vietnam, Afganistan (both the Soviet and the American interventions) and Iraq, Israel should have realised that you cannot defeat a movement like Hizbollah by military action alone.

There is still an urgent need for realistic diplomacy to address problems in the Lebanon and Gaza involving all the relevant parties.

Answer 4

1. Israel did not get their soldiers back.
2. Hezbollah was not destroyed (Israels stated objective).
3. Hezbollah certainly won the p.r. war. (Just look at the posts on yahoo answers for example.)
4. Hezbollah has not been disarmed.
5. Iran and Syria still back them to the tune of 100 million a year.
6. The UN is going to enforce the border?
7. There is no lasting peace in place.

What did Israel gain here? Nothing of note.

Answer 5

I've had a chance to go over your Q&A, and I don't know what to make of your questions. On one hand, you've written so many Muslim hating questions, and have made it clear that you don't want anything to do with Islam. On the other hand, now you're saying you think Hezbollah won. Which is it, man? Why don't you just make up your mind whether you hate or respect us. Oh, wait a second. I just realized something. I think with you, it's probably a bit of both. I think you're scared of us because we are more powerful than you could ever imagine. A lot of the time, you don't know what the hell you're talking about, but I'll give you credit for one thing. You're right when you say Hezbollah won. And they will always win, because they are fighting for the true religion. Whether you or anybody else wants to admit it, Islam is fierce. And it will continue to win for the rest of history. Why? Because you can't win against the ONE TRUE GOD!!!! And whatever you say that you think you're saying about Muslims, you're not really saying about us. You're just making it completely obvious how little you know.

Answer 6

First off, I believe both you jokers need to go back to a remedial spelling class. It's "Hezbollah", not "Hizbollah".

As for who "lost"? I believe the answer would be Lebanon. Israel's "military tactics" appear to be identical to those used by any terrorist organization. While Lebanon/Hezbollah directed most of their offensives onto military targets, Israel in turn, fired purposely on civilian neighborhoods and infrastructure.

Everyone asks the question: “Who is Hezbollah?”. I pose a more difficult question: “Who is Israel??”..

Answer 7

NO, you are very wrong there ,
Israel withdrew as requested by the United Nations fire agreement .
the Lebanese Army Hezbollah run ( with the aid of Syria and Iran )
are now rushing to the Israeli border , with all sorts of new weaponry
They WiILL invade before,
the United nation has got its Peace Keeping force in place .

I have no doubt there Will be another terrible war here shortly

Hezbollah may think they have the advantage over Israel , but
Israel will fight back hard .so it will be no pushover .

Hezbollah are the aggressors ,
With Syria and Iran at their heels They have vowed to conquer

Israel . then USA and the UK .
so watch this space

Answer 8

the war is not over yet, it has been going on for my whole life.
Israel still has a sea and air blockade against Lebanon, which the Lebanese PM has pleaded with The US to lift. I cnnot see there ever being a winner here and it will get worse. I am normally a happy . optimistic person , but not as far as the middle east is concerned. sorry.

Answer 9

In a modern war no body wins. Hezbollah is a small group and Israel is a country having huge regular army. Should we make comparison.
It is victory of United Nations.

Answer 10

Yes I agree, Israel bit off more than they could chew. Aside from the unexpected ferocity of Hezbollah response, Israel overkill of civilians and the destruction of Lebanon's infrastructure provoked world wide disapproval of Israeli actions over the kidnapping of two Israeli soldiers, when there are hundreds of Palestinians and others, including women , who are in Israeli prisons. Most held without charges.
Every time the US and Israel try their 'Shock and Awe' tactics, they create more resistance and Muslim enemies, many who were neutral before. Not just Israel, we have all lost!