One More Day: Israel Expands Offensive In Last Try For Victory...

NY Times STEVEN ERLANGER August 12, 2006 at 07:01 PM
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Israel's move to greatly increase its ground forces in Lebanon a day before it is expected to accept a cease-fire has two goals: to damage Hezbollah as much as possible and to conclude the conflict with something that could be called a victory for an Israeli government under domestic pressure.

Having begun the war by proclaiming that the aim was the destruction and disarmament of Hezbollah, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert will be able to claim only that Hezbollah is badly hurt and, with the help of international troops, effectively restrained -- even without the robust new international force or disarming of the militia that Israel initially demanded.

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