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July 28, 2007
Report from Lebanon
One of the two kidnapped IDF soldiers in Lebanon are dead, according to estimates by German security sources, who were quoted in the Lebanese newspaper, An-Nahar, Saturday.
“Security forces understood that one of the kidnapped soldiers is still alive, however, the other is dead,” An-Nahar reported.
Nasrallah of course, denies this report, telling Al-Jazeera “I’m the only one authorized to give information about their condition.” and he's not giving any information.
Nothing like a little psychological warfare, just like last month, when we suffered through reports that Gilad Shalit was in dire need of medical attention. There was no international outcry or outrage, no pressure put on Hamas to give him the medical attention he needs. The State of Israel and the rest of the world shrugged it off.
Time marches on, the world continues to pressure Israel to make concessions to these terrorists even as it turns its back on Ehud Goldwasser, Eldad Regev and Gilad Shalit, indifferent as to whether they are alive, or dead. I look at the remains of their humvee, and I wonder.
Were they alive when captured, were they injured? And if so, who treated their injuries, what medicines were they given by the animals who took them? I look at that humvee, and I believe that they were injured, and I know that they were likely just bandaged up and left to live or die on their own. And I know that every additional day of captivity makes it more likely that they will never be free.
Their lives matter only to those who love them. To the terrorists, they are pawns, bargaining chips. To their country, they are an inconvenience. And to the rest of the world, their lives mean nothing. I hope and I pray for them, but I expect the worst, and with good reason. One year later, their names and their faces are fading from the news, and soon, the world will forget they ever existed, as they have forgotten other Israeli soldiers who have disappeared into the hands of terrorists, never to be seen or heard from again:
Three soldiers, captured by terrorists during a battle with Syrian and Palestinian forces near the Lebanese village of Sultan Yaqub. June 11, 1982. Twenty-five years ago, over 9,000 days.
Two soldiers captured with them were released in prisoner exchanges with Syria and Achmed Jibril's PFLP-GC (Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine-General Command). Every once in a while, their names come up (including the 1988 Amnesty International Report and the 1993 Amnesty International December Update) but reports are conflicting and nothing is verifiable. Zachary Baumel is an American citizen.
Israeli air-force navigator Ron Arad was taken captive after his F-4 Phantom warplane went down over Lebanon. October 16, 1982. Twenty-four years ago, over 8,000 days.
Ron Arad was taken captive by Amal, a Lebanese Shi’ite militia group lead by Nabih Berri, who today is the speaker of the Lebanese Parliament. In 1987, Arad’s family received several letters and a photo of Arad confirming that the missing navigator was alive and in Amal’s hands. Mustafa Dirani, the Amal security chief who allegedly captured Ron Arad when his plane crashed in Lebanon, reportedly broke away from the terrorist group in 1987, taking Arad with him. It is believed that Dirani then "sold" Arad to either Hizbullah or Iranian elements.
According to Israeli newspaper Yediot Aharonot, as recently as 2003, three former Iranian diplomats and intelligence officials living in Europe claimed that Ron Arad is alive and being held in a prison near Tehran. But these reports cannot be verified.
Twenty years later, we know nothing about the fate of Ron Arad, although I have my own thoughts on that.
Guy Hever, a soldier in the Israeli Army who was reportedly last seen standing at the Katzabiya junction, just a kilometer away from the Syrian border. He disappeared, and has not been heard of since. August 17, 1997. Ten years ago, over 3,500 days.
Does anyone remember these men today? Sadly, no, most people don't remember them, if they ever knew about them in the first place. Disappearing Jews don't make headlines.
Two years ago, we gave up the Gush as a show of good faith. And in return, we got thousands of rockets raining down on Israeli civilians, women, children, schools.
Last year, Israel should have fought until these men were released or until every single square inch of Lebanon and Gaza was buried under rubble. Hezbollah, Hamas, and Fatah should have been destroyed, completely destroyed.
Instead, Israel gave up and accomplished nothing, and now, Israel has again released palestinian terrorists from its prisons in exchange for nothing, calling it a show of good faith to the evil bastards who hold these men captive. Originally, the plan was to negotiate the release of prisoners in exchange for the release of Gilad Shalit, but in the end, they just let the terrorists go free.
The Israeli government has again closed its eyes to what happens when you appease terrorists and negotiate with evil:
These are the faces of 177 Jews, all of whom were murdered by palestinian terrorists after the terrorists were released from Israeli prisons.
I look at those faces, and I want to cry.
I've said it before, and I'll say it again... my solution would be to take the terrorists locked up in Israeli jails and execute them, one by one, until all our soldiers are released, or I run out of prisoners.
That way, the end result is a good one, either way.
But, that's just me.
Posted by LindaSoG at July 28, 2007 10:44 PM
Comments
Linda, what a sad update.
I pray that it is not true.
Your tribute to the three captives, Ehud Goldwasser, Eldad Regev and Gilad Shalit on the right side of your screen, is a constant reminder when I visit your site.
Personally, I support your solution.
Releasing the terrorists is a terrible idea, as they (the terrorists) refuse to learn from the past and just go out and start terrorizing all over again.
Take them out all together and there is one less a**wipe with a bomb or a gun to worry about!
Posted by: Melissa In Texas at July 28, 2007 11:33 PM
Just found your blog. I was impressed with your analysis and substance. Keep up the good work.
Posted by: Thomas Jackson at July 29, 2007 12:26 AM
If the Iranians are holding an Israeli, then the proper solution is to capture as many high value Iranians as possible, and then offer a trade.
That, or just give them a few days to hand him over before launching nukes.
There was a reason these animals handed American hostages over to Reagan ... they feared him.
Posted by: Kristopher at July 29, 2007 01:26 AM
As I said elsewhere,
But, that's just me.
No it's not. Me too.
I hate these animals, and as far as I'm concerned, anyone who sympathizes with the "palestinians" or any of those bloodthirsty terrorist pigs is as much the enemy as those pigs are themselves.
Posted by: Beth at July 29, 2007 01:54 AM
"But, that's just me."
Me three. Unfortunately, the will and the resolve isn't there, either in Israel or here. Don't know if it ever will be, either.
Posted by: Vince at July 29, 2007 03:28 PM
"But, that's just me."
You're not alone Linda. Our holding prisoners is setting up the stage for the same hostage demands here, these are terrorists --- Cold Blooded Killers, eliminate them when they are captured. No prisoners = no leverage from the enemy.
I'm so disgusted with Condi, Ohmert and the appeasement mentality of the leftists.
Posted by: Jack at July 30, 2007 12:09 PM
There are also three American MIAs. Our media does not mention them, but they are real. The military does what it can to find and rescue them if they are alive.
I don't know if our State Dept does a damn thing other than play headless chicken
Like Vince, I have little hope that the resolve to do what is needed will be done. Like take out a few Saudi palaces with MOABs and tell them the House of Saud is history unless they reverse their promotion of Wahabism.
The only presidential candidate I think would do what is needed is Duncan Hunter.
Posted by: TomR at July 30, 2007 02:24 PM
I am not convinced that Goldwasser and Regev are alive. I'd like to find out that I am wrong, but it doesn't seem likely. Nasrallah will do whatever he can to hurt their families and Israel.
It makes me sick to think that the war didn't accomplish the goals that were set forth.
Posted by: Jack at August 2, 2007 03:36 AM