Israeli warplanes stage simulated attacks over Beirut

[lovuian]

http://feeds.bignewsnetwork.com/?sid=e3ef2b5258a40072

Israeli warplanes staged mock raids over Hezbollah's stronghold in Beirut's southern suburbs, Tuesday, in an unusual show of force.

Eyewitnesses say that Israeli warplanes repeatedly zoomed low over Beirut's southern suburbs, Tuesday morning, in several simulated attacks.

Voice of Lebanon radio also reports that Israeli jets broke the sound barrier, causing sonic booms over the port cities Sidon and Tyre.

Lebanon's LBC TV reports that many residents of the Hezbollah stronghold panicked. Vehicles fleeing in all directions and pedestrians ducked for cover. Beirut's mostly Shiite suburbs were devastated during the Israeli bombing campaign, earlier this year.

United Nations observers say that half a dozen Israeli jets entered Lebanese airspace, coming in from northern Israel.
more...
Just a reminder

[knitter4democracy]

1. What's that about?

I know it's most likely a show of force, but why do that to civilians?

[Lilith Velkor]

2. We got a military industrial complex to feed

The market of its consumers must expand, or else...

[frylock]

3. it was done to draw fire..

they were hoping someone would take a shot at those jets in order to justify a few more bombing raids.

[Behind the Aegis]

4. You know this how?

[frylock]

5. it's a classic technique..

the US used it as well in Iraq's no-fly zones.

[Behind the Aegis]

6. So, basically, your simply speculating, nothing more. Got it. n/t

[frylock]

12. that's right..

pure speculation.

[bemildred]

7. EU to Israel: Mock raids could encourage cease-fire violations

The European Union on Tuesday called on Israel to respect Lebanon's borders, with several diplomats warning its mock air raids over Beirut could encourage Syria and others to violate the UN resolution that ended the 34-day war between Israel and Hezbollah.

"We want to see the full implementation" of the resolution, EU spokeswoman Emma Udwin said. "We think that is also very much in Israel's
interest."

---

Meanwhile, France said Tuesday that Israeli overflights of Lebanon's airspace are violations of Lebanese sovereignty and must be stopped.

French Foreign Ministry spokesman Jean-Baptiste Mattei said the overflights are "contrary to the spirit" of United Nations Resolution 1701, which ended the 34-day conflict between Israel and Hezbollah on August 14.

Haaretz

[Behind the Aegis]

8. say what?

"...warning its mock air raids over Beirut could encourage Syria and others to violate the UN resolution..."

How the fuck would 'mock raids' over LEBANON encourage anything from Syria?! If anything, the excuse for a Syrian attack is being established by the fucking UN! I can see it now:

"Syrian war planes attack Northern Israel."

Then the endless supply of posts here blaming Israel!

[bemildred]

9. You seem upset.

I think the argument would be that it provides a justification for the ongoing rearmament of Hizbullah, which Syria is supposed to prevent. So "encourage" is probably the wrong word, but the point is, in another way, relevant, since the "mock air raids" undercut the credibility of complaints about other violations of 1701.

[Behind the Aegis]

10. yes, I am upset.

As usual, the UN is already making excuses. It never stops! I disagree with the "mock raids" because I fail to see how they are useful. If they feel their is a violation of the supply of arms to Hizb'allah, then I agree with the fly-overs because the UN sure as shit isn't going to do anything, and I doubt the Lebanese military will either. So, if it is surveillance, then go for it, because the UN sure doesn't care about the welfare of Israel.

As for Syria, they don't care about any UN resolution. They will continue to supply Hizb'allah until Israel is destroyed or they get busted big time and slapped with so many sanctions that it is no longer profitable to support Hizb'allah.

[bemildred]

11. Partial agreement.

I am trying to figure out what the "mock air raids" are FOR. I don't find the surveillance argument convincing, and buzzing Beirut is certainly not "surveillance". You have to not be paying attention to think it will work as intimidation. I suppose it could be for domestic Israeli consumption, but that is a bit cynical. One assumes that someone thinks they are useful for something, but I can't see what.