Russian Roulette
Hassan Nasrallah stated to Israel last evening that if Beirut is struck, he would hit Tel Aviv. Surely enough, the IDF did not even think twice before striking the outskirts of Beirut hard last night - a little under two hours after the speech and this even though Nasrallah asked for a cessation of hostilities. The Israeli response was clear.
Even this morning, in an unprecedented move the IAF destroyed bridges in the North including one next to the Casino du Liban, another in Byblos and a third in Madfoun. Today, Israel is officially holding us hostage in Lebanon. Hizbullah is holding us hostage in Beirut. This is a fight that I dont relate to or dont want to relate to. This is a fight that at least one quarter of the population of the country doesnt relate to. This is a game of russian roulette being played on our lives. And it seems that both sides are willing to pull the trigger, one a little harder than the other.
mrtez
The Zelzal - the only rocket that can reach Tel Aviv
The Zelzal missiles are short-range, road-mobile, solid-propellant systems, of which very little is known. The first evidence of their existence came from a number of reports in 1996 which indicated that Iran had three solid propellant missile development programs, called the Zelzal-1, Zelzal-2 and Zelzal-3. However, the liquid-fueled Shahab-3 is now believed to have been designated as the Zelzel-3, which contradicts previous reports. The Zelzal missiles are most likely unguided or use a rudimentary inertial system. They have ranges varying from 150 to 400 km (93 to 249 miles) and all carry a 600 kg payload. The missile is probably intended as a cheap alternative to importing better systems from China and will replace many of the Scuds that Iran has used against Iraq.
The complete lack of a guidance system makes the system only useful as an artillery system to bombard a general area or a large target. As there is no guidance system, the angle and direction of launch will determine the ability of the missile to fly straight, and thus its accuracy. When properly launched, the Zelzal is accurate within several kilometers of its target. There are no specific reports of a Zelzal-1, but the Zelzal-2 and Zelzal-3 imply its existence as a development program. In 1996, Iran tested the Zelzal-2 and then put the missile system up for sale. The Zelzal-2 is 8.32 m in length and 0.61 m in diameter, with a launch weight of 3,400 kg. It carries its 600 kg warhead to a maximum range of 200 km (124 miles). The Fateh A-110 is believed to be a guided variant.
In September 1999, Tehran displayed an unguided rocket known as the Zelzal-3. Its range is between 150 and 200 km (93 and 124 miels). An unconfirmed 2001 report suggests that Iran will upgrade the Zelzal-3 with an inertial guidance system and strap-on boosters that could increase its range to as much as 400 km (249 miles).
Reports indicate that Iran has recently supplied Zelzal missiles to Hezbollah in Lebanon. According to Israeli press reports, in 2004 Hezbollah received 220 missiles from Iran, and the weapons have been stored in bunkers in three locations in the Bekaa Valley.
Even this morning, in an unprecedented move the IAF destroyed bridges in the North including one next to the Casino du Liban, another in Byblos and a third in Madfoun. Today, Israel is officially holding us hostage in Lebanon. Hizbullah is holding us hostage in Beirut. This is a fight that I dont relate to or dont want to relate to. This is a fight that at least one quarter of the population of the country doesnt relate to. This is a game of russian roulette being played on our lives. And it seems that both sides are willing to pull the trigger, one a little harder than the other.
mrtez
The Zelzal - the only rocket that can reach Tel Aviv
The Zelzal missiles are short-range, road-mobile, solid-propellant systems, of which very little is known. The first evidence of their existence came from a number of reports in 1996 which indicated that Iran had three solid propellant missile development programs, called the Zelzal-1, Zelzal-2 and Zelzal-3. However, the liquid-fueled Shahab-3 is now believed to have been designated as the Zelzel-3, which contradicts previous reports. The Zelzal missiles are most likely unguided or use a rudimentary inertial system. They have ranges varying from 150 to 400 km (93 to 249 miles) and all carry a 600 kg payload. The missile is probably intended as a cheap alternative to importing better systems from China and will replace many of the Scuds that Iran has used against Iraq.
The complete lack of a guidance system makes the system only useful as an artillery system to bombard a general area or a large target. As there is no guidance system, the angle and direction of launch will determine the ability of the missile to fly straight, and thus its accuracy. When properly launched, the Zelzal is accurate within several kilometers of its target. There are no specific reports of a Zelzal-1, but the Zelzal-2 and Zelzal-3 imply its existence as a development program. In 1996, Iran tested the Zelzal-2 and then put the missile system up for sale. The Zelzal-2 is 8.32 m in length and 0.61 m in diameter, with a launch weight of 3,400 kg. It carries its 600 kg warhead to a maximum range of 200 km (124 miles). The Fateh A-110 is believed to be a guided variant.
In September 1999, Tehran displayed an unguided rocket known as the Zelzal-3. Its range is between 150 and 200 km (93 and 124 miels). An unconfirmed 2001 report suggests that Iran will upgrade the Zelzal-3 with an inertial guidance system and strap-on boosters that could increase its range to as much as 400 km (249 miles).
Reports indicate that Iran has recently supplied Zelzal missiles to Hezbollah in Lebanon. According to Israeli press reports, in 2004 Hezbollah received 220 missiles from Iran, and the weapons have been stored in bunkers in three locations in the Bekaa Valley.
posted by beirutlive at 8:51 AM
10 Comments:
Yes, in such warfare it is the innocent who die.
Its tragic.
get rid of the Irani and Syria from our land!
there will not be innocent as we will live in peace and enjoy our lives.
we hate no one.
we love.
Such ignorance is disappointing. I don't agree with much of Hezbollah's politics, but when it comes to defending Lebanon, their hearts and minds are in the right place. They're the only ones protecting Lebanon right now.
If Hezbollah put down their arms, do you think Israel would be placated? Of course not. They'd be marching on Beirut before you can say "Hariri".
Wake up and take the blinders off. It's not Hezbollah bombing our people day in and day out. If not for Hezbollah's presence over the last 20 years, there would have been nothing to keep Israel out of the south. (Oh, and please don't mention the Lebanese Army if you wish to maintain any sort of credibility.)
To bitch about Hezbollah right now is the epitome of biting the hand that feeds you. Get the Israelis to end their attacks, get them out of Lebanon, get the Lebanese Army on its feet and then bitch all you want.
The world would be a better place if people could say what they know, what they think and what they sow and heard instead of just pretending to KNOW what others are thinking.
"If Hezbollah put down their arms, do you think Israel would be placated? Of course not. They'd be marching on Beirut before you can say "Hariri"."
Why should the Israelis do so? I'm from Israel. and I don't know any Israeli how think like this, what did israel lost in Beirut? Do you think Israel mothers like to see their child bombed on no cause at all?
What Israel SAY is that they want peace in the northern border. For that cause most Israel people are prepare to kill and be killed, but for no other reason.
what HZ SAY is that they want to destroy Israel.
Protecting Lebanon? Do you protect someone by dragging his country to war? Do you protect a democracy be ignoring the democrat government and deiced by yourself what to do?
very very good point DROR.
shame so many idiots though is supporting HZ.
they are stupid and will cause a disaster on Lebanon.
its history repeating it self again and again until they will have to comply with Irani law in Lebanon... goodbye to this blog, good bye to free speach good bye to Crystal and all the other clubs in Beirut... good bye to all the tourists and good bye to LIFE.
this is what Lebanease people want and especially the balanced editors of this blog.
Sadly for you guys HEzbollah's avowed aim is not to destroy Israel. Check out their manifestos. It's to resist occupation by whoever that may be.
Isreal does NOT want to occupy southern Lebanon, they want either an international force, or the true army of Lebanon (which represents the government and not fanatics) to take control and stop the rocket launches and attacks by Hezbollah towards Isreal.
They now carve out an area where international forces will go in much more aggressive than before. The previous international force was useless and let the attacks go on for years.
Does anyone else see a pattern forming here? Everytime Hezbollah threatens Isreal, or launches at something inside Isreal, Isreal repays them 10 fold...watch what happens when they hit the Capital of Isreal...I mean it, and they are dumb enough to do it even though Isreal has promised untold destruction if they do.
The bottom line is that there is no reason for Hezbollah to make any announcements, or go on TV and say anything, because quite simply THEY ARE NOT THE GOVERNMENT OF LEBANON AND WILL NOT BE TREATED LIKE THEY ARE. So why do they keep talking like they are a goverment representing Lebanon, whther the people in Lebanon like Hezbollah or not doesn't even matter, they are not the army of any country, and even if they speak for the people, they do not speak for the government of Lebanon, and that's all any other country sees. Countries do not bend to the will of a bunch of yahoos dressed up like they are on the set of a Rambo movie because they have some rockets...I am amazed they think they have so much say they can tell countries what to do.
"Isreal does NOT want to occupy southern Lebanon, they want either an international force, or the true army of Lebanon (which represents the government and not fanatics)..."
fack! that made me laugh!
OK, that's not what they want RIGHT NOW. And it sounds good to me. With international forces...good ones this time, inbetween Isreal and Lebanon, Isreal must end any attacks as they said they would, and there would be no more reason for Hezbollah, they can join in with the rest of the army and be considered heros...anyway, whatever ends the fighting.
"Sadly for you guys HEzbollah's avowed aim is not to destroy Israel. Check out their manifestos. It's to resist occupation by whoever that may be."
However, they DO publicly support the destruction of the State of Israel and have assisted other organizations in acheiving this goal.
In defense of this, they do not dis-agree with Jews aquiring or maintaining their statehood, as long as it doesnt impede on Arab land or killing innocent people. I won't sit here and bash Hezbollah, but I wont make them out to be innocent political activists either. And unlike most who support Israel, I also wont make Zionism out to be righteous when abused. I fight to keep an open mind and open eyes.
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