For all the talk about Arabs in Israel being uncomfortable about the strikes in Lebanon, there is a strong consensus among all affected groups along the border to allow the campaign reach its logical conclusion. While a quarter of the population in this 50 km border has moved out, the remaining are firm and they are largely those who live in Kibbutz (communes).

“They (Hizbollah) want to destroy Israel. The world doesn’t want to see it, but we cannot ignore it. We are Jews and we have had enough of it in the past... the Hizbollah must be finished,” says Aharon Valency, chairman of the Upper Galilee Regional Council which has 29 kibbutz in its fold.

A Left-of-Centre politician, Valency says this area is dominated by people like him who would not want Arabs to be killed. “We, in fact, voted for Israel to withdraw from Lebanon seven years ago but they let the Hizbollah back in who have been continuously firing rockets at us for three years. We have no choice, it’s either our kids or theirs. I will choose my kids.”

The locals stand firmly behind the Army, ready to take any hardship as long as the campaign follows its course. Intelligence reports, according to Army officials here, suggest that Iran has invested up to $100 million in the Hizbollah and that makes them an “extremely well-trained and equipped force”.

Imad Murnia, considered to be chief of staff of the Hizbollah, is apparently the bridge with Iran. According to Israeli officials, he is a key aide of Hassan Nasrallah, the head of Hizbollah. Both are now targets. “Nasrallah is 46, I don’t think he will wait to be 47, so if you want to wish him happy birthday, do it now,” quips an Army official.

... contd.