The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) want to increase their ground and aerial activities in Lebanon following a deadly attack in which eight Israeli soldiers were killed on Wednesday. Army officials are expected to bring this up with Israeli decision makers.
High-ranking officers are concerned that the outcome of Wednesday’s battle in Bint Jbeil will prevent additional ground attacks in Lebanon, Israel’s Army Radio reported.
The battle coincided with a meeting of foreign ministers in Rome that aimed to bring an end to the hostilities between Israel and Hizbullah, which began on July 12.
Participants agreed to help provide humanitarian assistance to Lebanese civilians, and stressed the need to work immediately toward a cease-fire. But the concluding statement of the conference added that such a cease-fire must be “lasting, permanent and sustainable.”
Washington does not want to see a cease-fire as a temporary solution, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said on Monday after a meeting with Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni.
Participants also said an international force in Lebanon should urgently be authorized under a United Nations mandate to help the Lebanese army provide security.