International newspapers and websites shed light on the tactics adopted by the Palestinian resistance in the Gaza Strip, and on the Israeli occupation army’s targeting of the United Nations forces in Lebanon and the financial interests of the Lebanese Hezbollah.
Regarding the Palestinian resistance operations in the Gaza Strip, the New York Times quoted military analysts and Israeli soldiers as saying, “The hit-and-run tactics adopted by the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) in northern Gaza make defeating it difficult.”
The American newspaper adds, “Hamas has enough fighters and ammunition to embroil the Israeli army in a slow and grinding war that cannot be won, despite Israel’s success in destroying Hamas’ military wing.”
Regarding the Lebanese front, a secret report – prepared by one of the countries participating in UNIFIL forces, and seen by the Financial Times – revealed that Israel launched 12 attacks on the UN forces in Lebanon, and forcefully stormed a UN base bearing clear signs of the location’s identity.
The report also confirmed that 15 peacekeepers were injured by white phosphorus, which the Israeli army used at close range.
The French newspaper Le Monde touched on the Israeli attack on Lebanon and said that it aims to dismantle Hezbollah’s financial system. Last Sunday, the Israeli army launched several strikes targeting the party’s financial interests, and bombed nearly 30 targets linked to the Al-Qard Al-Hassan Financial Institution, which is subject to US sanctions.
This institution – which provides small loans without interest – represents a lifeline for more than 300,000 Lebanese, especially from the Shiite community, according to what Le Monde quoted Hezbollah expert Amal Saad.
On the other hand, the Wall Street Journal wrote that what it described as Israeli military gains strengthened Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s position at home, but the Israelis are still divided, noting that the improvement in his popularity with voters according to opinion polls does not mean that his political problems are over.
On the other hand, the editorial of the newspaper “Haaretz” discussed the draft law that aims to exempt the Haredim from military conscription, and said, “In the banana republic founded by Netanyahu, everything is for sale.”
The Israeli newspaper added, “In order to maintain power, Netanyahu is ready to pay any price requested by the Haredim. But this time, he cannot do that, after the Supreme Court ruled last June that the government was no longer able to exempt ultra-religious people from compulsory conscription.” .
