Hi Paul

Like you I see nothing right or good in war; but I am not a pacifist, because sometimes the alternatives are even worse. I am glad the Allies fought and defeated Hitler. I respect the reasons why many peoples over the centuries have fought against colonial rule (though maybe Ghandi in India showed a better path). I hope Ukraine wins its war against Russia.

I hope Islamofascism is defeated because Hamas, Hezbollah and the like are committed to the destruction of Israel and murder of its citizens; Israel has no option but to fight if it wants to stop that happening. But AC is right on one thing – you can’t beat an ideology with weapons alone. Both peoples need a credible, better alternative to perpetual conflict. That’s why I support a two-state solution. Unfortunately, Hamas, Hezbollah (and their Iranian puppet-masters) and Netanyahu do not. But Netanyahu is deeply unpopular and home and there are serious international players – including the USA but also many of Iran’s Middle-Eastern enemies - who do.

I have enjoyed Dr. Alon Ben-Meir’s pieces on OLO – including today’s – because he seems to offer an intelligent analysis of this horrible conflict and a plausible pathway our of it. I hope he’s right.

Hi Yuyutsu,
- I thought some of the territory along the northern border with Lebanon was disputed, but maybe I was incorrect.

"That missile you were speaking of was not super-sonic after all."
- Hypersonic, and I checked the speed/distance/time calculator the other day and 2040 kilometers in 11 minutes is over 11,000 kmh, Mach 9.
"It was intercepted but not completely destroyed and therefore broken into several parts which were difficult to re-target."
- I'm not sure if that was the initial cover story and more info came out later disputing this and that the missile did in fact hit it's target.
Israels Arrow 2 missiles are supposed to be able to hit things travelling at that speed, but it's in the upper limits of the missile systems claimed capabilities.

Unit 8200 got blown up;
I was talking about the August 25 Hezbollah drone strikes against the headquarters of Unit 8200 in Glilot base as part of 'Operation Arbaeen Day', which killed 20+ and 70+ injured.

"Surprisingly, Gallant obeyed and actually did attack Lebanon and now Netanyahu is searching for the next excuse."
- Pretty hectic on both sides I heard, a lot of places targeted.
I hope your lot fared ok.

I knew there was some back-story with Gallant, caught a few bits of info the other day, but I may have been dozing off.

Dear Critic,

«I thought some of the territory along the northern border with Lebanon was disputed, but maybe I was incorrect.»

Yes, but they are tiny, some as small as your backyard.
Similar tiny patches were also disputed between Israel and Jordan, mainly due to water flows and dunes drifting: they were easily resolved within the Israel-Jordan peace deal. These micro-disputes could similarly be resolved in an Israel-Lebanon peace deal.

«2040 kilometers in 11 minutes is over 11,000 kmh, Mach 9.»

True, but was the missile travelling for only 11 minutes? Israel disputes that.

«that the missile did in fact hit it's target.»

A part of the broken missile hit an agricultural field and caused a fire.
An interceptor hit a train-station and damaged a pedestrian escalator.
No person was hurt.

«I was talking about the August 25... which killed 20+ and 70+ injured.»

One soldier killed at Glilot, a few soldiers and a civilian woman wounded and some buildings damaged from falling interceptors. Also one sailor killed on board of his frigate by falling interceptors.

«I hope your lot fared ok.»

Thank you, they are all fine.