Israel & Lebanon
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From: Texas
Italian peacekeepers in Lebanon not pleased with Israeli actions, it appears, nor is the Italian government.
Military context: there are about 7,500 personnel supporting UNIFIL in Lebanon, with Italy contributing roughly 750.
Despite their efforts, the conflict continues.
Some other context in the spoiler: armaments and mutual defense agreements.
Last week, Italy summoned the Israeli ambassador to Rome after warning shots were fired by Israeli forces at a convoy of Italian UN peacekeepers in Lebanon, damaging one vehicle but causing no injuries.
On Monday, Israel in turn summoned Italy's ambassador to protest comments by Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, who had condemned Israel's "unacceptable attacks" on civilians in Lebanon.
Defence ministry officials told the BBC they were still examining how the government's position would translate into concrete legal and practical consequences on the framework of Italian cooperation with Israel.
On Monday, Israel in turn summoned Italy's ambassador to protest comments by Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, who had condemned Israel's "unacceptable attacks" on civilians in Lebanon.
Defence ministry officials told the BBC they were still examining how the government's position would translate into concrete legal and practical consequences on the framework of Italian cooperation with Israel.
Originally Posted by the UN
As of 30 March 2026, UNIFIL’s force consists of 7,505 peacekeepers from 47 troop-contributing countries.
Spoiler
Despite their efforts, the conflict continues.
Some other context in the spoiler: armaments and mutual defense agreements.
Spoiler
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From: England
Israel continues to flatten residential areas of Lebanon. An open war crime.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cdxkk1vnp57o
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cdxkk1vnp57o
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From: Near the coast
Israel continues to flatten residential areas of Lebanon. An open war crime.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cdxkk1vnp57o
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cdxkk1vnp57o
BV
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From: Texas
There are currently talks on going between Israel's government and Lebanon's government, but as one peels back the layers of the onion Hezbollah isn't a party to the talks.
So I doubt those talks will amount to much, in terms of stopping the conflict.
So I doubt those talks will amount to much, in terms of stopping the conflict.
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From: USA
I just saw an interview on NBC with an IDF member who claimed that every residence in the attacked area of Lebanon which IDF soldiers had entered had a rocket launcher. Every one.
I wonder what those rocket launchers look like.
I wonder what those rocket launchers look like.
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Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
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From: Peripatetic
Video
https://t.me/yigal_levin/95587
Translation:
"The Israeli Ministry of Defense has requested proposals from the defense industry for a system capable of intercepting fiber-optic drones.
According to the specifications published by the Armament and Technology Development Authority (MAFAT), the system must be able to intercept fiber-optic drones flying at speeds of up to 70 km/h and at altitudes of up to 100 meters.
The systems are needed for both mobile and maneuverable units, primarily tank divisions, and for protecting troop concentration areas or stationary infrastructure."
The Israeli Ministry of Defense is seeking proposals for a system to counter fiber-optic drones, which are immune to traditional jamming and electronic warfare.
The IDF has not been well prepared for Hezbollahs use of fiber-optic FPVs in Lebanon. This has been surprising given the example of the fiber-optic systems devastating effectiveness in Ukraine.
According to the terms of reference, the system should counter a fiber-optic UAV flying at up to 70 km/h at an altitude of up to 100 meters.
The IDF has not been well prepared for Hezbollahs use of fiber-optic FPVs in Lebanon. This has been surprising given the example of the fiber-optic systems devastating effectiveness in Ukraine.
According to the terms of reference, the system should counter a fiber-optic UAV flying at up to 70 km/h at an altitude of up to 100 meters.
Translation:
"The Israeli Ministry of Defense has requested proposals from the defense industry for a system capable of intercepting fiber-optic drones.
According to the specifications published by the Armament and Technology Development Authority (MAFAT), the system must be able to intercept fiber-optic drones flying at speeds of up to 70 km/h and at altitudes of up to 100 meters.
The systems are needed for both mobile and maneuverable units, primarily tank divisions, and for protecting troop concentration areas or stationary infrastructure."
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From: England
But how many residences have they actually entered? Most of them have already been flattened by bombs and shells - job done. .
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From: Baston
Well Bob, you make a good go at that. The Israelies are their own worst enemies. I try to see both sides but the question "what did Hamas expect after the atrocities" wears very thin now. My mother would have said " six of one and half a dozen of the other".
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From: Texas
LB, "a pox on both of their houses" takes care of that as well.
In the news today:
No idea of the time horizon involved: days, weeks, or the usual "you didn't meet our preconditions" crap that Hezbollah and the Israelis like to pull.
In the news today:
Originally Posted by CBS News
Hezbollah, a U.S.-designated terrorist group and Iranian ally in Lebanon, has indicated its readiness to engage in a ceasefire with Israel, despite ongoing hostilities. The group emphasizes that its fighters are prepared for continued conflict while also leaving the door open for de-escalation. This stance reflects a complex position amidst the protracted war between Hezbollah and Israel.
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Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
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From: Peripatetic
Video
An Israeli drone flew through Hezbollah stronghold Bint Jbeil in southern Lebanon, showing the scale of destruction following IDF operations.
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From: Wythenshawe
ORAC, this thread seems devoted to fierce criticism of Israel, with much qualitative comment and bias from folk like Bob Viking, Sallyann1234, artee, Lonewolf50, and dead-pan to name a few. Your thread either needs moderating or terminating, as so many of the comments belong in Jet Blast. We all understand that many people do not like Israel and its retaliatory actions. But it is so tedious to keep reading their little snipes. They bring nothing to any informed debate.
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From: England
ORAC, this thread seems devoted to fierce criticism of Israel, with much qualitative comment and bias from folk like Bob Viking, Sallyann1234, artee, Lonewolf50, and dead-pan to name a few. Your thread either needs moderating or terminating, as so many of the comments belong in Jet Blast. We all understand that many people do not like Israel and its retaliatory actions. But it is so tedious to keep reading their little snipes. They bring nothing to any informed debate.
Do you want us to believe that all those buildings contained terrorists?
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From: Brisbane, Qld, Australia
Do you want us to believe that all those buildings contained terrorists?
An Israeli drone flew through Hezbollah stronghold Bint Jbeil in southern Lebanon,
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From: England
Thread Starter
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
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From: Peripatetic
Same question as mine. If the widespread area shown in the video housed so many terrorists and their weapons, it must have contained a sizeable army. Strange they didn't come out fighting.
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20...y-test-ground/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle...nt_Jbeil_(2026)
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From: England
They did, it was street to street fighting. Hence the level of destruction.
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20...y-test-ground/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle...nt_Jbeil_(2026)
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20...y-test-ground/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle...nt_Jbeil_(2026)
Alongside the ground clashes, Bint Jbeil and its surroundings have been subjected to heavy air cover involving warplanes and drones, as well as intense artillery shelling. This has effectively turned the city into an open battlefield, where air strikes overlap with ground engagements.
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From: Texas
Baby steps for a longer cease fire?
But will Lebanese troops fire at Hezbollah formations who (it can be predicted) will violate the cease fire - as they have done every time there has been one for years. That's the big unanswered question, however this is a nice step forward to the current round of fighting to stop for much longer.
Since Lebanon does not have an air force worthy of the name, who will provide aerial surveillance for cease fire adherence, zone security?
IAF, probably.
(Not sure how UNIFIL fits into this, nor what air assets they have, but I think that most "observer" missions can be handled by UAVs and Drones).
BEIRUT (AP) — Lebanon and Israel were set to begin a second session of direct talks in Washington on Thursday to discuss the possibility of extending a truce between Israel and the Hezbollah militant group and plans for future negotiations between the two neighbors with a long history of hostile relations. The meeting between Lebanese Ambassador to the U.S. Nada Hamadeh Moawad and her Israeli counterpart Yechiel Leiter is the second between the two diplomats, days after they held the first such direct talks between the two countries in three decades.
Lebanon President Joseph Aoun said Wednesday that contacts are ongoing to extend the 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah that went into effect Friday.
Hamadeh will put forward an extension of the ceasefire during the meeting and ask for an end to ongoing Israeli home demolitions in villages and towns occupied by Israel after the latest war broke out on March 2, Aoun said in comments released by his office. Preparations are ongoing for wider-reaching negotiations between Lebanon and Israel. The aim of the future talks is to “fully” stop Israeli attacks, withdrawal of Israeli troops from Lebanon, release of Lebanese prisoners held in Israel, deployment of Lebanese troops along the border and beginning the reconstruction process, Aoun said.
Lebanon President Joseph Aoun said Wednesday that contacts are ongoing to extend the 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah that went into effect Friday.
Hamadeh will put forward an extension of the ceasefire during the meeting and ask for an end to ongoing Israeli home demolitions in villages and towns occupied by Israel after the latest war broke out on March 2, Aoun said in comments released by his office. Preparations are ongoing for wider-reaching negotiations between Lebanon and Israel. The aim of the future talks is to “fully” stop Israeli attacks, withdrawal of Israeli troops from Lebanon, release of Lebanese prisoners held in Israel, deployment of Lebanese troops along the border and beginning the reconstruction process, Aoun said.
Since Lebanon does not have an air force worthy of the name, who will provide aerial surveillance for cease fire adherence, zone security?
IAF, probably.
(Not sure how UNIFIL fits into this, nor what air assets they have, but I think that most "observer" missions can be handled by UAVs and Drones).
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From: 3rd Rock, #29B
ORAC, this thread seems devoted to fierce criticism of Israel, with much qualitative comment and bias from folk like Bob Viking, Sallyann1234, artee, Lonewolf50, and dead-pan to name a few. Your thread either needs moderating or terminating, as so many of the comments belong in Jet Blast. We all understand that many people do not like Israel and its retaliatory actions. But it is so tedious to keep reading their little snipes. They bring nothing to any informed debate.
Israel has had numerous opportunities to work towards something resembling a peaceful resolution to their intractable differences of 2 different groups occupying the same bit of turf, and when there is a glimmer of hope, there is action taken to cancel that avenue. Accommodation or annihilation are the ends of the spectrum, and the latter looks pretty bad on a resumé. Hamas has not made it any easier, but empowering the support of Hamas through the inequities of the settlement plans that Benny brought to the bank in bulk is a self fulfilling act of stupidity. Looks good at the poll booth though.
Lebanon is unfortunate in its choice of geography, they would do better with some continental drift to be apart from their neighbours while they sort out their issues. Hezbollah still has more military capability in Lebanon than the Lebanese government, makes for a few problems with what passes for state policy. Shame, once it was a nice place, but then, once Jews and Arabs lived in some harmony until acted upon by great powers from without.