Israel Wary after Jaramana Strike, Waiting for Hezbollah Response

Local Editor on December 19, 2015

Hezbollah leader Sheik Hassan Nasrallah, speaks to the crowd in a rare public appearance during a rally to mark the Muslim holy day of Ashoura, in the Hezbollah stronghold of south Beirut, Lebanon, on Tuesday Dec. 6, 2011. Sheik Hassan Nasrallah has rarely been seen in public since his Shiite Muslim group battled Israel in a monthlong war in 2006, fearing Israeli assassination. Since then, he has communicated with his followers and gives news conference mostly via satellite link. Ashoura marks the anniversary of the death in the seventh century of the Prophet Muhammad's grandson Imam Hussein. His death in a battle outside of the Iraqi city of Karbala sealed Islam's historical Sunni-Shiite split, which still bedevils the Middle East. Ashoura is one of the holiest days of the Muslim Shiite calendar. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)

Photo/Bilal Hussein

It’s clear that the Israel can’t bear to officially claim responsibility for the strike which killed the Dean of the freed detainees from the Israeli prisons, Samir Kuntar late on Saturday. However, the Israeli media didn’t hesitate to praise the strike, in an obvious admission that Tel Aviv had carried out the raid.

Hasan Hijazi, the editor of the Israeli affairs at al-Manar, said that Tel Aviv declined to officially comment on the strike in order to avoid a harsh retaliation by the resistance, noting that the Israeli eye now is on Hezbollah Secretary General Sayyed Hasan Nasrallah’s response.

“The Israeli commentators said that Tel Aviv will be passing through some days of concern, waiting for the stance of (Sayyed) Nasrallah over the nature of Hezbollah’s retaliation.”

“The Israeli authorities are avoiding the direct claim of responsibility, in a bid to give the other side (the resistance) a chance to mull its retaliation choices and in order for this retaliation to be deliberate and well-calculated,” Hijazi said during a live coverage on al-Manar.

“According to Israeli commentators, Israel now is denying any involvement because the direct claim of responsibility would lead to strong and justified retaliation (by the resistance).”

“According to the Zionists, Kuntar represents the Lebanese, Palestinian and Syrian struggle against Israel. He is well-recognized for his participation in Nahariya operation in 1979. He is well known because he was freed despite the 33-day Israeli war on Lebanon which took place after the resistance captured two Israeli soldiers and killed other eight. He is well recognized for his alleged role in opening a new front in Golan against the Zionist entity. Samir Kuntar represents the path of resistance.”

Israeli Media ‘Praising’ Kuntar Assassination

“Israeli officials Samir Kuntar raised the reported killing of Lebanese militant leader Samir Kuntar,” Israeli daily, Jerusalem Post said on Sunday.

It quoted Israeli Construction and Housing Minister Yoav Gallant as talking to Israel Radio that “It is good that people like Samir Qantar will not be part of our world.”

Asked if Tel Aviv carried out the strike, Gallant said: “I am not confirming or denying anything to do with this matter.” Other Israeli officials, including military spokesmen, declined comment.

Meanwhile on Sunday, Israeli justice minister Ayelet Shaked welcomed the assassination of Kuntar but did not claim credit for the air strike.

http://www.almanar.com.lb/english/adetails.php?eid=245826&frid=23&cid=23&fromval=1&seccatid=18

Source: Al Manar