SITRAP: Middle East

I'm going to start a new type of post called the SITRAP. This is a term which I believe has its roots in the military. Its basically short for "situation report" or "situation wrap-up".

So here's the SITRAP on the Israeli-Hezbollah conflict:

• Peretz: Hezbollah fired 2,200 rockets at Israel; half of them hit towns (Haaretz) as of 13:30 Israeli time Sunday.
• Rocket attacks continue all across Israel with what appears to be an emphasis on the port city of Haifa.
• The IAF continues to attack Hezbollah targets (rocket launchers, etc.), major roads in and out of the country, and targets in Beirut, Lebanon.
• The IDF now has control of Maroun al-Ras in south Lebanon.
• U.S. consul says American evacuation from Lebanon nearly complete (AP) as of 14:00 Israeli time Sunday.
• Lebanese Foreign Minister has reported that the IDF soldies being held hostage by Hezbollah are in good physical condition.
• Syria has said they would join the fight against Israel if IDF gets too close to Syrian border, while at the same time offers a willingness to enter into talk to draw down the situation.
• US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on her way to the Middle East to work with powers in the region. These powers do not include Syria, because as Rice says Syria knows what it needs to do.

Tags: Israel, Lebanon, United States, Hezbollah, Terrorism, War, Middle East