Na’srallah Aims Invectives at Egypt as Israel Sends Warnings

Israel’s military planners are keeping a close watch on its northern border as it works to neutralize Hamas in the south. Fearing the opening of an additional front by the Lebanon-based Hizbullah, a far more powerful enemy, Israel sent waves of fighter jets in low formation over south Lebanon in a clear warning to Hizbullah to stay out of the fray. Hizbullah’s charismatic leader, Sheikh Hasan Na’srallah, appears to be willing to remain on the sidelines. In his first public diatribe since the Israeli “Operation Cast Lead” began on Saturday, the Hizbullah leader directed his invectives at Egypt, which he accused of collaboration with Israel. The Israeli operation was revealed to Egypt in advance, and Egypt’s foreign minister made a public declaration blaming Hamas for causing Israel to act. In addition, Egypt is refusing to open its borders to allow Gazans to escape the Israeli onslaught by entering its territory. Last week, the Lebanese army reported that it located eight Katyusha rockets set with timers to be launched toward Israel that were discovered by a farmer.