Nasrallah ‘did not think’ act would spark war
Hezbollah leader says he wouldn’t have ordered Israeli soldiers’ capture
Updated: 2 hours, 54 minutes ago
BEIRUT, Lebanon - Hezbollah leader Sheik Hassan Nasrallah said in a TV interview aired Sunday that he would not have ordered the capture of two Israeli soldiers if he had known it would lead to such a war.
Hezbollah guerrillas killed three Israeli soldiers and seized two more in a cross-border raid July 12, which sparked 34 days of fighting that ended Aug. 14. Five other Israeli soldiers were killed as they pursued the militants back into Lebanon.
“We did not think, even 1 percent, that the capture would lead to a war at this time and of this magnitude. You ask me, if I had known on July 11 ... that the operation would lead to such a war, would I do it? I say no, absolutely not,” he said in an interview with Lebanon’s New TV station.
Nasrallah also said the United Nations and Italy already had initiated “contacts” about beginning negotiations on a prisoner swap.
Israeli officials have been refusing to comment on the record about the prospects of a prisoner exchange, citing the extreme sensitivity of the issue.
But military officials said earlier this month that Israel is holding 13 Hezbollah prisoners and the bodies of dozens of guerrillas that it could swap for the two captive soldiers, but would not include any Palestinian prisoners in such a deal.
“The Israelis have acknowledged that this (issue) is headed for negotiations and a (prisoners) exchange,” he said. “Contacts recently began for negotiations.”
Prisoner exchange in the works?
He said Italy and the United Nations had made contacts to help mediate a prisoner swap with Israel, but did not specify whether they had contacted Hezbollah directly.
“The Italians seem to be getting close and are trying to get into the subject. The United Nations is interested,” Nasrallah said.
The guerrilla leader did not specify in which capacity Italy had expressed interest — on its own or on Israel’s behalf.
Nasrallah said Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri was in charge of the negotiations.
He added that the subject would be discussed during U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan’s visit to Beirut on Monday. He said “some contacts” had been made to arrange a meeting between him and Annan, but that it was unlikely for security reasons. Nasrallah went into hiding on the first day of the war and his whereabouts are unknown.
He said in the interview Sunday that he had no doubt that the Israelis “would not hesitate” to kill him if they knew where he was hiding.
Nasrallah also said he did not believe a second bout of fighting would break out with Israel. “The current Israeli situation, and the available givens tell us that we are not heading to another round,” he said.
He certainly gained from the war. No doubt the people of Lebanon and Israel and all of the people who died did not, but he knows that for him it all turned out good.
"It will be said to the pious believers in Islamic Monotheism: 'Oh you, the one in complete rest and satisfaction! Come back to your Lord well rested and well pleased!
Nasralllah is the biggest winner from this war. Olmert is the overall loser. Only a miracle will get him re-elected.
Believe me... you want Olmert to get re-elected. Israeli's will probably now turn to the much more right wing politicians who do not hol back so much. The right wing people in israel are all military people who are knowledgable unlike Olmert. You should pray Olmert stays in, because you do not want Israel to be in the power of Military leaders. Then what will become of the Palestinians you care so much about?
Israeli's will probably now turn to the much more right wing politicians who do not hol back so much. The right wing people in israel are all military people who are knowledgable unlike Olmert. You should pray Olmert stays in, because you do not want Israel to be in the power of Military leaders. Then what will become of the Palestinians you care so much about?
Does it really make a difference? All are terrorists.
Does it really make a difference? All are terrorists.
Your point of view that is. Many see it different. The point of you though is irrelevant. What is irrelevant is that if you hate Israel and want to see it limp into battles and be unprepared and not guided well... you want Olmert in power. The right wing Military branch of Israeli's absolutly embarrassed the Islamic world in many wars...'
But you know very well liberals do not know how to fight...
Your point of view that is. Many see it different. The point of you though is irrelevant. What is irrelevant is that if you hate Israel and want to see it limp into battles and be unprepared and not guided well... you want Olmert in power. The right wing Military branch of Israeli's absolutly embarrassed the Islamic world in many wars...'
But you know very well liberals do not know how to fight...
Right wingers in Isreal are the politicians who fail the road map, Olmart was former right winger. All those right wingers missions is to kill palestinian civilians and destroy palestinians lives, is that a victory?
Yeah, I'm sure Hezbollah can beat most of these Arab countries anyday.
I am jealous that a country other than mine has brave men like them who defend their homes without any fear of death. Unfortunately some Lebanese won't relies this .
I have yet to see a "left-winger" in Israel. All PMs I know so far are right wingers mostly.
Same here. I think the most Left-wing Israeli PM was Ehud Barak.
"This world is a blank price tag, and whatever value you put on it, is what its worth to you. I have made this world priceless and worthless, so therefore I have placed my value in the afterlife."
Believe me... you want Olmert to get re-elected. Israeli's will probably now turn to the much more right wing politicians who do not hol back so much. The right wing people in israel are all military people who are knowledgable unlike Olmert. You should pray Olmert stays in, because you do not want Israel to be in the power of Military leaders. Then what will become of the Palestinians you care so much about?
NEtanyahu is waiting on the queue to be next Israeli PM.
He's a staunch supporter of Ariel Sharon...not exactly Left wing.
And this is a famous quote of his - very Nationalist and Right wing in nature:
"When you win a war, your people are united and applaud you. When you make peace, your people are doubtful and resentful."
In 2006, he left the Labor party and joined the newly-formed extreme right wing Kadima party - started by war criminal Sharon.
"This world is a blank price tag, and whatever value you put on it, is what its worth to you. I have made this world priceless and worthless, so therefore I have placed my value in the afterlife."
How do you know? Are you there? Did you take some kind of a poll?
So let me ask you all? How has the Palestinian leadership been? Actually how is any Jew to think there will ever be a peace partner in gaza or the west bank when they cannot even stop killing eachother...
Nasralllah is the biggest winner from this war. Olmert is the overall loser. Only a miracle will get him re-elected.
I really like this guy, Nasrallah! He impressed me because he placed the best interest of his people before his own concerns when he agreed to the cease-fire. But he really wowed me when he humbled himself by admitting he under-estimated the retaliatory strike by Israel. I have not seen this quality in any of the other supposed leaders who, to-date, have not accepted any responsibility for the messes they've made. Mayor Nagan is still blaming a storm for the destruction of his city because there couldn't possibly have been a problem with the design... building a city right on the Gulf Coast... below sea-level?
No rocket science needed for that mental abortion.
Ninth Scribe
Last edited by Ninth_Scribe; 09-01-2006 at 05:24 PM.
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