"Israel is apparently deeply concerned by Hezbollah's effort to improve the accuracy of its rockets. The organization has in its possession vast numbers of missiles and rockets -- 130,000, according to the latest estimates -- but upgrading its capability is dependent on improving the weapons' accuracy, which would enable Hezbollah to strike effectively at specific targets, including air force-base runways and power stations."
In other words, Israel is "deeply concerned" that Hizbollah might soon be able to operate within the terms of international law as laid down by official arbiters like the UN and HRW.
How is Hizbollah trying to upgrade its rockets? Its allies, Iran and Syria's Bashar Assad, are trying to deliver more sophisticated weapons to it through Syrian territory. How does Israel feel about this? Harel reports: "Israel is upset at the smuggling of weapons by the Assad regime in Syria to Hezbollah." In fact, we know Israel is "upset" because it keeps violating Syria's sovereign air space to launch attacks in Syria to stop convoys it claims are transporting such weapons reaching Hizbollah. It is similarly blockading Gaza to make sure upgraded, precise weapons do not get into Hamas' hands.
So who will be to blame when Israel gets the next war with Lebanon or Gaza it wants and Hizbollah or Hamas respond by firing their imprecise rockets in retaliation? When Israeli civilians die under those rockets, will Hizbollah and Hamas be responsible or will it be Israel's fault?
We will doubtless hear the answer from the United Nations, Human Rights Watch and the New York Times soon.
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